Transportation
A central geographic location — plus superb transportation infrastructure — makes the Greater Des Moines (DSM) region a prime choice for businesses in need of efficient cargo distribution. The region has a strong combination of ground transport, both commercial and freight. Located at the crossroads of Interstates 80 and 35, the area is accessible for many industries and businesses. DSM is one of the few areas in the United States that is served by three Class I railroads. Railroads in the area include Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific and the Iowa Interstate (Class II).
Download maps of The DSM metro and region:
Metro Map Regional Map
Regional Transportation Planning
The Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) develops and maintains DSM's long-range transportation plan and provides support to other local governments and organizations with regional transportation plans. To view the most recent plans in detail, visit Regional Vision Plans.
Airline Travel and Service
Passenger Service
As Iowa's largest airport, the Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is the 84th busiest commercial airport in the nation (Bureau of Transportation, 2024). Des Moines International Airport is served by six commercial carriers, and passengers have non-stop access to over 30 destinations. International flights are easily made with one connection in surrounding hub airports.
The Ankeny Regional Airport serves executive and corporate travel, freight operations and general aviation in the region. The passenger terminal provides a comfortable and smooth transition to ground transportation. Reliable flight support services and the safety of two runways make Ankeny Regional a preferred destination for corporate flight departments and private pilots.
Air Cargo
Ranked in the top 50 airports for cargo tonnage in the United States by the Bureau of Transportation, Des Moines International Airport has more than 1 million square feet of cargo apron. The airport cargo area also includes more than 100,000 square feet of warehouse space. Find current operational statistics on the Des Moines International Airport website or the DSM USA Research, Stats & Data Hub.
Foreign Trade Zone
Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) #107 is conveniently located near Interstates 80 and 35, and the Des Moines International Airport, which is the only Port of Entry in Iowa. The FTZ allows certain types of merchandise to be imported, repackaged and assembled with other components, and then exported without going through formal customs entry procedures or incurring import duties. FTZ #107 can also be leveraged to create subzones, which are special purpose sites for use by one company for a limited purpose and are established as adjuncts to existing general purpose zones. The Greater Des Moines Partnership manages the FTZ and can help Iowa companies establish FTZ subzones. Access our Global Business Resources to learn more.
U.S. Port of Entry at the Des Moines International Airport
The Des Moines International Airport serves as a Port of Entry. As a Port of Entry, DSM International has on-site U.S. Customs and U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors. Find more information about Port 3513.
Ground Transport Services
Motor Carriers
Ground transportation is readily available through over 475 trucking transportation establishments that serve DSM. Cargo is brought into DSM from eight states throughout the Midwest and Great Plains. Outbound, most of the Midwest is reachable by truck overnight. Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Omaha and St. Louis are all within a day's drive.
Rail Services
A regional railroad transload facility located in Des Moines and independently operated by Des Moines Industrial offers cutting-edge logistics solutions, convenient transloading connections and streamlined distribution that reduces costs and carbon footprint. The transload facility can be accessed by the four railroads that service Des Moines including three Class I railroads, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific, and Class II railroad, Iowa Interstate. On-site warehouse and outdoor storage are also available at the transload facility.
Located in Osceola, DSM has access to passenger rail services via Amtrak’s station with service to both the east and west coast. Over 11,200 riders utilized the Osceola station in Amtrak's 2023 fiscal year.
Merchants Distribution Service, located in Altoona, has been operated and owner managed for over 100 years. It specializes in Rail-to-Truck and Truck-to-Rail, serving the manufacturing, agriculture, paper and lumber industries.
In the summer of 2025, a public-private partnership between Jasper County and Iowa Interstate Railroad resulted in the Newton Rail Park – an industrial development site that is rail-served spanning 367 total acres.
To learn more about Iowa's railways, visit the Iowa Department of Transportation's Office of Rail Transportation website.