Freight Shipping from Akron to Detroit
Ship freight from Akron, OH to Detroit, MI with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $327-$403, LTL from $284-$529. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
152 mi
Drive Time
3 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$327-$403
LTL Rate Est.
$284-$529
Industrial Freight Lane
Akron → Detroit Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
159–176
running this lane
Weekly Loads
89–109
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
69/100
Strong
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$4–$7 one-way passing through OH, MI. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Akron to Detroit Freight Corridor
Akron earned the title "Rubber Capital of the World" — Goodyear's global headquarters still anchors the city's economy, along with a deep cluster of polymer science companies, tire retreaders, and rubber product manufacturers that grew up around the original tire industry. The I-76/I-77 junction makes Akron a natural crossroads between Pittsburgh and Cleveland. The University of Akron's polymer science program ensures a constant pipeline of materials innovation that keeps the city's chemical and advanced materials freight volumes growing.
Detroit remains the undisputed capital of North American automotive freight. The Big Three automakers and hundreds of tier-1 suppliers generate an enormous volume of JIT parts shipments crisscrossing the Ambassador Bridge to Canadian assembly plants daily. The EV transition is reshaping freight flows, with massive battery plants from GM (Ultium) and Ford drawing new inbound raw materials from lithium and nickel sources.
The Akron-to-Detroit corridor spans 152 miles via I-76, I-77, I-75, I-94. This lane connects polymer & rubber manufacturing and advanced materials freight from the Akron market to automotive manufacturing and autonomous vehicle tech demand in Detroit. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Akron
Akron's economy is driven by polymer & rubber manufacturing, advanced materials, healthcare, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
tires & rubber products
polymer compounds
oats & cereals (Quaker)
industrial adhesives
specialty chemicals
fabricated metals
What Detroit Receives
Detroit's automotive manufacturing, autonomous vehicle tech, steel processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Akron.
auto parts (cross-border)
raw steel
aluminum
rubber & plastics
electronic components
glass
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Akron and Detroit, these equipment types best serve this corridor.
Dry Van (FTL)
Ideal for palletized consumer goods, electronics, packaged foods, and general merchandise. Enclosed protection from weather and theft.
$327-$403 estimated for this lane
Flatbed
Best for steel, lumber, machinery, building materials, and oversized loads that cannot be palletized or loaded through standard dock doors.
$433-$555 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$479-$646 estimated for this lane
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
Cost-effective for shipments under 10,000 lbs or fewer than 10 pallets. Shared trailer space with other shippers reduces cost for smaller loads.
$284-$529 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Akron to Detroit lane (152 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $327-$403 | 3 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $284-$529 | 5-7 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $494-$684 | 2 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Akron and Detroit that drive volume on this lane.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber (HQ)
FirstEnergy (HQ)
Smucker's (Akron bakery)
General Motors
Ford Motor Company
Stellantis (Chrysler)
Shipping Tips for Akron to Detroit
Akron Seasonal Advisory
Tire production runs year-round but seasonal tire changeover periods (October-November for winter, March-April for summer) create demand surges. FirstEnergy's utility equipment shipments peak before summer cooling season. Quaker Oats production ramps for back-to-school cereal demand.
Detroit Seasonal Advisory
Automotive production follows a predictable cycle with two-week shutdowns in July and late December. Model changeover periods (August-September) create surge demand for tooling and equipment freight as assembly lines are retooled.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 152 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
Book Early for Best Rates
Spot market rates fluctuate daily. Booking 3-5 days in advance typically saves 10-15% compared to same-day or next-day freight requests. For recurring shipments, ask about contract rates.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Akron and Detroit — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Akron, OH
- Metro Population
- 700K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-76, I-77, I-80 (Ohio Turnpike)
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Akron Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- Chapel Hill/I-77, Green/I-77 South, Akron-Canton Airport Industrial
“Tire freight is deceptively challenging — rubber products are lightweight but bulky, meaning carriers cube out before hitting weight limits. Experienced tire haulers use specialized trailer configurations and stacking techniques to maximize load density and revenue per mile.”
Destination
Detroit, MI
- Metro Population
- 4.3M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.20-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-75, I-94, I-96
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Detroit Intermodal; CSX Livernois Junction
- Port Access
- Ambassador Bridge & Detroit-Windsor Tunnel (Canada border, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Romulus/I-94 Airport Corridor, Warren/Sterling Heights, Woodhaven/Downriver
“The Ambassador Bridge and the new Gordie Howe International Bridge handle over 8,000 trucks daily, making the Detroit-Windsor corridor the busiest commercial land crossing in North America. FAST card-holding drivers command premium rates for cross-border automotive lanes.”
Return Loads from Detroit
Detroit generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Akron is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Detroit
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Akron to Detroit Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Akron to Detroit?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Akron, OH to Detroit, MI currently range $327-$403 (roughly $2.17-$2.65 per mile over 152 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $284-$529 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced on this corridor, so booking 3-5 days out locks in the best pricing. Request a custom quote for exact rates.
How long does freight take from Akron to Detroit?
Standard FTL transit from Akron to Detroit is approximately 3 hrs by truck over 152 miles, with 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor. LTL shipments add 2-4 business days due to terminal transfers. Expedited service with team drivers can reduce FTL transit by up to 40%.
What equipment do I need for Akron to Detroit freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Akron commonly ships tires & rubber products, polymer compounds, oats & cereals (Quaker), which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Detroit commonly receives auto parts (cross-border), raw steel, aluminum. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Detroit to Akron?
Strong backhaul (scored 69/100 based on Detroit's outbound commodity mix). Detroit generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Akron is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Detroit's top outbound commodities — finished vehicles, automotive parts & assemblies, steel coils — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Akron to Detroit?
The Akron-to-Detroit corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Industrial Freight Lane. Akron's top outbound commodities include tires & rubber products, polymer compounds, oats & cereals (Quaker), industrial adhesives, specialty chemicals, fabricated metals. Detroit's primary inbound freight includes auto parts (cross-border), raw steel, aluminum, rubber & plastics, electronic components, glass. Industries driving this lane include polymer & rubber manufacturing and advanced materials from Akron and automotive manufacturing and autonomous vehicle tech in Detroit.
When are rates highest on the Akron to Detroit lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to polymer & rubber manufacturing and advanced materials cycles. Key periods: Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM pickups when possible.
Can freight from Akron to Detroit be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 152 miles (3 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Akron-to-Detroit lane in one shift. Same-day delivery requires booking before 9 AM local time at origin and confirming dock availability at destination. Expedited service runs 2 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Akron to Detroit
We maintain working relationships with 159+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Akron–Detroit corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts