Corn Hauling Rates in South Dakota
South Dakota has 265 grain elevators in the AgroPost directory. Estimate what it costs to haul corn from South Dakota — per mile, per ton and per bushel — by truck, rail or barge. Real example routes from South Dakota and distance-band rates are below; use the calculator for any specific origin → destination.
Orientation estimate from public USDA benchmark ranges (2026), not a quote. Barge applies to river corridors only. Rail assumes rail access at both ends.
Example corn routes from South Dakota
From Huron, SD (a South Dakota grain hub) to major US markets — real distances and the cheapest mode for a 100-ton (3,940 bu) load.
| To | Distance | Cheapest mode | $/bushel | $/ton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA — Gulf export | 1,091 mi | barge | $0.381–0.8 | $15–31.5 |
| Portland, OR — PNW export | 1,194 mi | rail | $1.257–2.146 | $49.5–84.5 |
| Chicago, IL | 561 mi | rail | $0.584–1.003 | $23–39.5 |
Corn hauling rates by distance
Per metric ton and per bushel (56 lb/bu). Rail shows where a haul is long enough to be viable.
| Distance | Truck $/ton | Truck $/bu | Rail $/ton | Rail $/bu |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 mi | $6.81–12.39 | $0.17–0.31 | — | — |
| 100 mi | $13.63–24.77 | $0.35–0.63 | — | — |
| 200 mi | $27.25–49.55 | $0.69–1.26 | $8.27–14.17 | $0.21–0.36 |
| 300 mi | $40.88–74.32 | $1.04–1.89 | $12.4–21.25 | $0.31–0.54 |
| 500 mi | $68.13–123.87 | $1.73–3.15 | $20.66–35.42 | $0.52–0.9 |
Orientation estimate, not a quote. Truck ≈ $0.11–$0.20/ton-mile, rail ≈ $0.035–$0.060/ton-mile.
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