Freight Shipping from Flint to Joliet
Ship freight from Flint, MI to Joliet, IL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $690-$851, LTL from $377-$673. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
321 mi
Drive Time
6 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$690-$851
LTL Rate Est.
$377-$673
Flint to Joliet Freight Corridor
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.
Joliet and its surrounding Will County communities sit atop the most concentrated intermodal and distribution infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere. The CenterPoint Intermodal Center, spanning over 6,000 acres, combines UP's Global IV facility with over 30 million square feet of distribution space occupied by Walmart, Amazon, IKEA, and dozens of other major shippers. This is where West Coast container imports transition from rail to truck for final-mile delivery across the Midwest and Northeast.
The Flint-to-Joliet corridor spans 321 miles via I-69, I-75, I-80, I-55. This lane connects automotive parts and metal stamping freight from the Flint market to intermodal logistics and warehousing & distribution demand in Joliet. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Flint
Flint's economy is driven by automotive parts, metal stamping, logistics & warehousing, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
automotive stampings
engine components
processed metals
plastic auto parts
scrap metal
packaged foods
What Joliet Receives
Joliet's intermodal logistics, warehousing & distribution, e-commerce fulfillment sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Flint.
containerized imports (from West Coast)
raw materials
food products
retail merchandise
industrial supplies
automotive components
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Flint and Joliet, 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.
$690-$851 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.
$377-$673 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Flint to Joliet lane (321 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $690-$851 | 6 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $377-$673 | 8-10 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,043-$1,445 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Flint and Joliet that drive volume on this lane.
General Motors (Flint Assembly)
Lear Corporation
Ryder Integrated Logistics
Walmart (Elwood Mega-DC)
Amazon (CenterPoint)
IKEA Distribution
Shipping Tips for Flint to Joliet
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.
Joliet Seasonal Advisory
Q4 holiday freight creates near-gridlock conditions on I-80 and I-55 as intermodal volume peaks. January sees a dramatic drop-off. Spring produce season restocks create a secondary peak in March-April.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 321 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.
Flint to Joliet Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Flint to Joliet?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Flint, MI to Joliet, IL currently range from $690-$851 for a standard dry van load over the 321-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $377-$673 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 Flint to Joliet?
Standard FTL transit from Flint to Joliet is approximately 6 hrs by truck over 321 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 Flint to Joliet freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Flint commonly ships automotive stampings, engine components, processed metals, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Joliet commonly receives containerized imports (from West Coast), raw materials, food products. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Joliet to Flint?
Yes. Joliet is a strong outbound market shipping redistributed consumer goods, intermodal containers, packaged foods. Carriers returning from Joliet to Flint can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Flint-to-Joliet lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Flint to Joliet?
The Flint-to-Joliet corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Flint's top outbound commodities include automotive stampings, engine components, processed metals, plastic auto parts, scrap metal, packaged foods. Joliet's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (from West Coast), raw materials, food products, retail merchandise, industrial supplies, automotive components. Industries driving this lane include automotive parts and metal stamping from Flint and intermodal logistics and warehousing & distribution in Joliet.
Get Exact Rates for Flint to Joliet
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Flint to Joliet lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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