Freight Shipping from Cleveland to Flint
Ship freight from Cleveland, OH to Flint, MI with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $409-$504, LTL from $305-$562. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
190 mi
Drive Time
3 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$409-$504
LTL Rate Est.
$305-$562
Cleveland to Flint Freight Corridor
Cleveland remains the industrial heart of the Great Lakes manufacturing belt, anchored by Sherwin-Williams' new global headquarters and Cleveland-Cliffs' integrated steel operations. The Port of Cleveland connects to global markets via the St. Lawrence Seaway, handling iron ore, steel, and heavy-lift project cargo. The I-90/I-77 junction gives carriers efficient access to the entire Midwest and Northeast.
Flint's freight market revolves around GM's Flint Assembly plant, which builds the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups. The JIT supply chain for this single facility generates hundreds of daily truck movements from tier-1 and tier-2 suppliers across Michigan and Ohio. The I-69/I-75 interchange provides efficient access to the broader Great Lakes freight network.
The Cleveland-to-Flint corridor spans 190 miles via I-90, I-77, I-69, I-75. This lane connects steel & metals and automotive parts freight from the Cleveland market to automotive parts and metal stamping demand in Flint. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Cleveland
Cleveland's economy is driven by steel & metals, automotive parts, healthcare & biomedical, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
steel products
automotive stampings
industrial chemicals
paint & coatings (Sherwin-Williams)
medical devices
polymer products
What Flint Receives
Flint's automotive parts, metal stamping, logistics & warehousing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Cleveland.
raw steel coils
aluminum ingots
rubber compounds
automotive electronics
industrial chemicals
tooling equipment
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Cleveland and Flint, 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.
$409-$504 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.
$542-$694 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$599-$808 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.
$305-$562 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Cleveland to Flint lane (190 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $409-$504 | 3 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $305-$562 | 5-7 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $618-$855 | 2 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Cleveland and Flint that drive volume on this lane.
Sherwin-Williams (HQ)
Cleveland-Cliffs (HQ)
Lincoln Electric
General Motors (Flint Assembly)
Lear Corporation
Ryder Integrated Logistics
Shipping Tips for Cleveland to Flint
Cleveland Seasonal Advisory
Steel production runs year-round but construction season (April-October) drives the strongest demand for outbound coil and plate loads. Great Lakes shipping season (April-January) determines iron ore import volumes at the port.
Flint Seasonal Advisory
Production follows GM's corporate shutdown calendar — two weeks in July and one week at Christmas. Model year changeover in late summer creates a brief lull followed by a surge in tooling and prototype parts shipments.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 190 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.
Cleveland to Flint Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Cleveland to Flint?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Cleveland, OH to Flint, MI currently range from $409-$504 for a standard dry van load over the 190-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $305-$562 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Request a custom quote for exact pricing based on your specific shipment details.
How long does freight take from Cleveland to Flint?
Standard FTL transit from Cleveland to Flint is approximately 3 hrs by truck over 190 miles. 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 Cleveland to Flint freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Cleveland commonly ships steel products, automotive stampings, industrial chemicals, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Flint commonly receives raw steel coils, aluminum ingots, rubber compounds. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Flint to Cleveland?
Yes. Flint is a strong outbound market shipping automotive stampings, engine components, processed metals. Carriers returning from Flint to Cleveland can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Cleveland-to-Flint lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Cleveland to Flint?
The Cleveland-to-Flint corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Cleveland's top outbound commodities include steel products, automotive stampings, industrial chemicals, paint & coatings (Sherwin-Williams), medical devices, polymer products. Flint's primary inbound freight includes raw steel coils, aluminum ingots, rubber compounds, automotive electronics, industrial chemicals, tooling equipment. Industries driving this lane include steel & metals and automotive parts from Cleveland and automotive parts and metal stamping in Flint.
Get Exact Rates for Cleveland to Flint
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Cleveland to Flint lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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