U.S. Trade Corridors and Freight Lanes
Reference documentation of major trade corridors connecting U.S. ports, manufacturing centers, and distribution hubs. These freight lanes form the primary channels through which domestic and international commerce flows across the nation.
Major U.S. Trade Corridors
Trade corridors are multimodal freight channels connecting production and consumption centers. These corridors represent the highest-volume freight lanes in the national transportation network, integrating ports, rail systems, highways, and distribution infrastructure.
Pacific Gateway Corridor
Characteristics
- Handles 40%+ of U.S. container imports
- Primary gateway for Asia-Pacific trade
- On-dock rail for inland distribution
- Connected to all major U.S. markets
Primary Gateways
Key Commodities
Gulf Coast Corridor
Characteristics
- Petrochemical and energy sector hub
- Growing container traffic from Panama Canal
- Mississippi River barge integration
- Proximity to Mexican manufacturing
Primary Gateways
Key Commodities
Atlantic Gateway Corridor
Characteristics
- Largest East Coast port complex
- European and Asian trade routes
- Growing Southeast port capacity
- Rail connectivity to Midwest markets
Primary Gateways
Key Commodities
NAFTA/USMCA Corridor
Characteristics
- $1.3 trillion annual trade value
- Integrated North American supply chains
- Automotive manufacturing corridor
- Just-in-time production networks
Primary Gateways
Key Commodities
Midwest Manufacturing Corridor
Characteristics
- Historic manufacturing heartland
- Automotive production concentration
- Agricultural processing center
- Central distribution advantage
Primary Gateways
Key Commodities
Southeast Distribution Corridor
Characteristics
- Fastest-growing U.S. region
- Right-to-work state manufacturing growth
- FedEx Memphis hub integration
- Port Savannah container growth
Primary Gateways
Key Commodities
Regional Trade Lanes
Within major corridors, specific trade lanes represent the highest-density point-to-point freight movements. These lanes connect origin and destination pairs with consistent freight volume and established carrier services.
| Region/Lane | Description |
|---|---|
West Coast to Midwest Rail Intermodal, Trucking | Pacific imports distributed to central U.S. consumer markets |
Texas to Midwest Trucking, Rail | NAFTA corridor connecting Mexican manufacturing to U.S. distribution |
East Coast to Southeast Trucking, Rail | North-south movement along Atlantic seaboard population centers |
Gulf to Midwest Rail, Pipeline, Trucking | Petrochemical and manufacturing supply chains north from Gulf ports |
Cross-Rockies Rail, Trucking | Transcontinental movement through mountain corridors |
Great Lakes Manufacturing Trucking, Rail | Automotive and industrial production regional distribution |
Trade Corridor Infrastructure
Trade corridors integrate multiple infrastructure elements that collectively enable freight movement. These facilities provide the physical interface between transportation modes, storage, processing, and distribution functions.
Gateway Ports
Ocean ports serving as entry/exit points for international trade with inland transportation connectivity.
Examples
Function
International trade interface, container handling, customs processing
Inland Ports
Rail-served logistics facilities in inland locations providing port-like services away from seaports.
Examples
Function
Container deconsolidation, regional distribution, customs clearance
Distribution Centers
Warehouse facilities strategically located on trade corridors for inventory and fulfillment.
Examples
Function
Inventory holding, order fulfillment, value-added services
Border Crossings
International boundary facilities processing cross-border freight with customs and inspection services.
Examples
Function
Customs clearance, security inspection, modal transfer