TRANSPORTATION, DISTRIBUTION & LOGISTICS
All Roads Lead To Chicago
The Chicago region is a national leader in Transportation, Distribution & Logistics (TD&L), strategically located at the center of the country and anchoring U.S. supply chains through unmatched rail, highway, air, and inland port connectivity as a global crossroads for moving goods, freight, and people at scale. The industry is supported by modernized logistics networks, e-commerce, and automation, while providing diverse jobs and training pipelines.
By The Numbers
$41.8B in industry output in 2025 – 3rd in the nation, up 4.1% over 2024
266,000 employed in TD&L across the region – 2nd in the nation
16,733 TD&L businesses – 1st in the nation, up 2% year over year
29 companies expanded in or relocated to Chicagoland in 2025
The Nation's Freight Crossroads
Chicago sits at the geographic center of North America's freight network, within a one-day truck drive of a quarter of the U.S. population and manufacturing base. That position is backed by infrastructure no other market can match: 6 of 7 Class I railroads, 10 interstate highways, over 100 miles of navigable waterways, and O'Hare International Airport – the nation's top port by value, which handled $423 billion in trade in 2025, a 28% increase over the prior year.
Industrial Space At Unmatched Scale & Value
The Chicago region offers 1.3 billion square feet of industrial space – more than 200 million square feet beyond the next leading market – at an average direct asking rent of $6.86 per square foot. That's 14% cheaper than Dallas, 56% cheaper than Inland Empire, and 77% lower than New York.
A Workforce Built For The Industry
Chicagoland's TD&L talent pipeline is one of the deepest in the country, sustained by union training programs, community colleges, and industry-aligned apprenticeships that deliver job-ready workers at scale. The region's trucking sub-industry ranks first in the nation by employee count, and its broader workforce spans every mode – air, rail, road, and water.
Companies Choosing Chicago
In 2025, AAR expanded its downtown Chicago office by 90,000 square feet. Shamrock Trading relocated from Kansas, opening a 24,800 square foot office and hiring 100 employees. Pflug Packaging established its first regional presence with a 264,600 square foot facility at the CenterPoint Intermodal Center. The pattern is consistent: firms that need scale, connectivity, and cost efficiency keep landing here.
Featured Research
Connect With Our Team
Our team works directly with transportation, distribution, and logistics companies exploring Chicago for expansion or relocation. Tell us about your project and we'll be in touch.