Corn Hauling Rates in Iowa
Iowa has 391 grain elevators in the AgroPost directory. Estimate what it costs to haul corn from Iowa — per mile, per ton and per bushel — by truck, rail or barge. Real example routes from Iowa 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 Iowa
From Marshalltown, IA (a Iowa 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 | 849 mi | barge | $0.292–0.622 | $11.5–24.5 |
| Portland, OR — PNW export | 1,491 mi | rail | $1.562–2.68 | $61.5–105.5 |
| Chicago, IL | 277 mi | rail | $0.292–0.495 | $11.5–19.5 |
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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