Freight market overview: Illinois
Chicago's geography puts it at the intersection of every major Midwest freight corridor. Seven Class I railroads converge in the Chicago terminal district, more than anywhere else in the country. On the trucking side, I-90, I-94, I-80, I-55, I-65, and I-57 all pass through or near the metro, making Chicagoland the most-connected inland freight market in the US. The Joliet intermodal terminal (BNSF and UP) is one of the busiest rail-to-truck hubs in the world.
Illinois is also home base for some of the most important brokers in the industry: Echo Global Logistics, Coyote Logistics, MoLo Solutions, Becker Logistics, and Arrive Logistics all have major operations in Chicago. This concentration drives competitive pricing and carrier density on Midwest lanes out of Illinois, particularly to the Southeast, Southwest, and Northeast corridors.
Top Freight Brokers Serving Illinois
All hold active FMCSA broker authorityWhat to look for in a Illinois freight broker
- Intermodal expertise — Chicago is a top rail-to-truck conversion point; strong brokers offer both modes
- Carrier relationships on the Chicago–Southeast corridor (high-demand, tight capacity)
- Flatbed capacity for manufacturing freight moving out of Rockford and Bloomington
Key Illinois freight lanes
Top industries generating freight in Illinois: Manufacturing · Food & Beverage · Retail Distribution · Intermodal / Rail