Cedar Rapids, IA

Freight hub guide — rates, shippers, parking, and opportunities for owner-operators in Cedar Rapids.

Part of Iowa trucking network →

579

Carriers Based Here

Fair

Truck Parking

Midwest

Region

Who Operates Out of Cedar Rapids

579 active motor carriers are registered with a physical address in Cedar Rapids. Here is how that base breaks down by fleet size — useful for judging whether you would be competing against owner-operators or against fleets with dedicated freight locked up.

257

Owner-operators (1 truck)

162

Small fleets (2-5)

Mid fleets (6-20)

Large fleets (20+)

44% of carriers based here run a single truck, and 55 are registered to haul hazardous materials.

Source: FMCSA Motor Carrier Census (active carriers, US physical addresses), retrieved 2026-07-18.

Average Rates Per Mile

Equipment Type	Rate / Mile
Dry Van	$2.40
Reefer	$2.76
Flatbed	$2.98

Rates by Equipment Type

Key Highways

I-380US-30US-151US-218IA-100

Top Industries

Cereal and grain processing

Aerospace and defense

Manufacturing

Financial services

Healthcare

Major Distribution Centers

Quaker Oats DC

General Mills DC

CRST International HQ (trucking company)

Nordstrom fulfillment

Top Shippers

Quaker Oats (PepsiCo)

General Mills

Collins Aerospace (Raytheon)

Cargill

Penford

Nearby Ports

Nearest major port accessible via I-380

Truck Stops

Pilot Travel Center (I-380 & US-30)

Love's Travel Stop (I-380 Exit 17)

BP (US-30 East)

Challenges

Cedar River flooding risk (major floods in 2008), I-380 as sole interstate requiring detours when closed, and seasonal grain truck surges.
Winter weather creates hazardous driving conditions November through March
Spring flooding can close river-adjacent highways
High competition from large carrier fleets based in the region

Opportunities

Central location provides access to loads heading in every direction
Massive intermodal and rail hub infrastructure in Chicago area
Strong agricultural freight during harvest season
Lower cost of living and operating costs improve net margins

Seasonal Freight Patterns

Harvest season (August-November) generates enormous grain and produce volume. Holiday retail peaks September through December. Winter weather (November-March) causes delays but also rate spikes. Spring flooding can disrupt river-adjacent routes.

Trucking in Cedar Rapids — FAQ

Average rates per mile out of Cedar Rapids: Dry Van $2.40, Reefer $2.76, Flatbed $2.98. Rates vary by season, lane, and current market conditions.

Truck parking in Cedar Rapids is rated "fair." Popular stops include Pilot Travel Center (I-380 & US-30), Love's Travel Stop (I-380 Exit 17), BP (US-30 East). Parking is manageable but can get tight during peak hours and weekends.

Top shippers operating in the Cedar Rapids freight market include Quaker Oats (PepsiCo), General Mills, Collins Aerospace (Raytheon), Cargill, Penford. Key industries driving freight demand are cereal and grain processing, aerospace and defense, manufacturing.

The biggest challenges for truckers in Cedar Rapids include: Cedar River flooding risk (major floods in 2008), I-380 as sole interstate requiring detours when closed, and seasonal grain truck surges.; Winter weather creates hazardous driving conditions November through March; Spring flooding can close river-adjacent highways. However, opportunities include central location provides access to loads heading in every direction.

Nearby Freight Hubs

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View all trucking info for Iowa →

Running freight in Cedar Rapids? Get dispatched.

Our dispatch team books loads, negotiates rates, and handles the paperwork so you can keep your wheels turning in and out of Cedar Rapids.

Get Dispatch (682) 978-8641

Who Operates Out of Cedar Rapids

257

Owner-operators (1 truck)

162

Small fleets (2-5)

Mid fleets (6-20)

Large fleets (20+)

44% of carriers based here run a single truck, and 55 are registered to haul hazardous materials.

Source: FMCSA Motor Carrier Census (active carriers, US physical addresses), retrieved 2026-07-18.

Equipment Type

Rate / Mile

Dry Van

$2.40

Reefer

$2.76

Flatbed

$2.98

Challenges

Cedar River flooding risk (major floods in 2008), I-380 as sole interstate requiring detours when closed, and seasonal grain truck surges.
Winter weather creates hazardous driving conditions November through March
Spring flooding can close river-adjacent highways
High competition from large carrier fleets based in the region

Trucking in Cedar Rapids — FAQ

Average rates per mile out of Cedar Rapids: Dry Van $2.40, Reefer $2.76, Flatbed $2.98. Rates vary by season, lane, and current market conditions.