How Goods Move In and Out of Michigan: Modes, Drivers, and Corridors

Michigan's economy—anchored by automotive, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism—depends on massive, multimodal freight flows. Its geography (Great Lakes, border with Canada) makes it a continental crossroads.

Primary Freight Modes

1. Trucking (Dominant — ~70% by weight, ~80% by value)

• Key Corridors: I-75 (North-South: Detroit–Flint–Saginaw–Mackinac/Soo; South to Ohio/Florida), I-94 (East-West: Detroit–Ann Arbor–Kalamazoo–Chicago), I-96 (Detroit–Lansing–Grand Rapids), I-69 (Port Huron–Flint–Lansing–Fort Wayne), US-23, US-127, US-31.
• Border Crossings: Ambassador Bridge (Detroit–Windsor) = #1 US-Canada truck crossing (~25% of bilateral trade). Blue Water Bridge (Port Huron–Sarnia) = #2. Gordie Howe International Bridge (opening 2025) will add capacity/redundancy.

2. Rail (Critical for Heavy/Bulk — ~20% by weight)

• Class I Carriers: CN (Canadian National) (north-south via Port Huron/Flint), CSX (east-west via Detroit/Toledo), NS (Norfolk Southern) (southern tier via Fort Wayne/Chicago).
• Short Lines: 20+ (e.g., Great Lakes Central, Michigan Shore, Huron & Eastern) — first/last mile to plants.
• Key Commodities: Motor vehicles/parts (autoracks), coal, iron ore, limestone, cement, grain, chemicals, lumber.
• Detroit Intermodal Terminals: Livernois, Junction Yard, Delray — connect rail to truck.

3. Great Lakes Shipping (Maritime — Bulk & Heavy)

• Ports: Detroit/Rouge River (steel, aggregate), Muskegon (sand, slag), Marquette (iron ore), Port Huron, Saginaw River, St. Marys River (Soo Locks).
• Soo Locks: Critical chokepoint connecting Lake Superior to lower lakes. 80M+ tons/yr. Poe Lock (1,200 ft) replacement underway.
• Season: ~March 25 – Jan 15 (ice).

4. Air Cargo (High-Value, Time-Sensitive)

• DTW (Detroit Metro): Major international gateway. FedEx, UPS, DHL hubs. Auto parts, electronics, pharma, perishables.
• GRR (Gerald R. Ford Intl, Grand Rapids): Growing cargo (Amazon Air, UPS).
• Willow Run (YIP): Historic cargo hub (Kalitta, National Airlines).

Why Goods Move: Key Drivers

• Automotive Supply Chain: Just-in-time parts from Ontario, Mexico, US South → Assembly plants (Detroit, Flint, Lansing, Flat Rock) → Finished vehicles to dealers/ports.
• Agriculture: Cherries, apples, blueberries, asparagus, corn, soy, dairy → processing & export (Canada, Asia via West Coast).
• Manufacturing Inputs: Steel, aluminum, plastics, chemicals → fabrication shops statewide.
• Consumer Goods: Imports (furniture, electronics, clothing) → Distribution centers (Grand Rapids, Romulus, Lansing) → Retail.
• Energy: Crude (Enbridge Line 5), refined products, natural gas, electricity (grid interties).

Future: Gordie Howe Bridge, EV Battery Supply Chain, Short Sea Shipping Expansion.