How container drayage works in Detroit
Detroit's rail ramps serve the auto industry: NS and CSX at Livernois-Junction, NS at Delray and CN at Moterm in Ferndale. Being on the Canadian border also makes cross-border drayage to Windsor a big part of the market.
- Rail ramps
- Livernois-Junction, Detroit-Delray and CN Moterm
- Customers
- Assembly plants and parts suppliers in four counties
- Border
- Ambassador Bridge, the tunnel and the Gordie Howe Bridge
- Watch for
- Customs bonds and credentials for both countries
More about drayage in Detroit
Detroit's intermodal terminals are spread across the city's southwest side and suburbs. Norfolk Southern and CSX both transfer containers at the Livernois-Junction Yard, Norfolk Southern also runs the Detroit-Delray terminal near the Detroit River, and CN handles containers at its Moterm terminal in Ferndale. The Michigan Department of Transportation and Norfolk Southern secured more than $67 million in federal funding to upgrade the Livernois intermodal facility.
Containers arrive from East and West Coast ports and from Canada, and domestic boxes move to and from the South and Midwest. Local carriers deliver them to auto assembly plants, parts suppliers, warehouses and manufacturers throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties.
Detroit's position on the Canadian border adds cross-border drayage. Trucks cross the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, and the new Gordie Howe International Bridge adds another crossing. Carriers serving this trade need customs bonds and credentials for both countries.
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Rail ramps
Railroads
Norfolk Southern · CSX · CN · CPKC · Conrail Shared Assets
Main highways
I-94 · I-96 · I-75 · I-275 · I-696 · M-10 · M-39
Container terminals and rail ramps in Detroit
Where containers are picked up and returned in the Detroit area.
Rail ramp
Livernois-Junction Intermodal Terminal
Rail ramp · Norfolk Southern / CSX
Southwest Detroit yard where both Norfolk Southern and CSX transfer containers; being upgraded with federal funding.
Detroit-Delray Intermodal Terminal
Rail ramp · Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern terminal in the Delray area near the Detroit River.
Moterm Intermodal Terminal
Rail ramp · CN
CN's container terminal in Ferndale, north of Detroit, with links to Canada and the CN network.
The auto industry and just-in-time freight
Ford, General Motors and Stellantis operate plants in and around Detroit, and thousands of suppliers produce components. Many parts are imported in containers or move between US and Canadian plants, often on tight schedules.
Automotive drayage demands precise timing, and delays can halt production lines. Carriers that serve auto plants are used to strict delivery windows, plant security procedures and live unloads. Electric vehicle and battery projects in Michigan are adding new freight flows, including imported equipment and materials for new plants.
Cross-border trade with Ontario
Detroit and Windsor form the busiest commercial border crossing between the US and Canada. Auto parts, vehicles, food and consumer goods cross daily. Containers moving between Detroit's rail terminals and Ontario need carriers with FAST credentials, customs bonds and experience with cross-border paperwork. The Gordie Howe International Bridge, connecting southwest Detroit with Windsor, provides a modern crossing with direct highway access, easing traffic on the Ambassador Bridge.
Border wait times vary, and carriers plan crossings to avoid peak congestion.
Winter, roads and warehouse districts
Michigan winters bring heavy snow and cold, which can slow rail and trucking. Carriers plan for storms and protect freeze-sensitive cargo.
Major warehouse areas include Romulus and Taylor near Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Livonia, Novi, Auburn Hills, Sterling Heights and Warren. Interstates 94, 96, 75, 275 and 696 connect these areas. Michigan allows heavier trucks than most states on certain configurations, but container chassis must still meet specific weight limits. Carriers plan heavy loads carefully.
Southwest Detroit and the freight corridor
Southwest Detroit is the city's freight heart. The Livernois-Junction Yard, the Delray terminal, the Ambassador Bridge and the new Gordie Howe International Bridge are all within a few miles, along with many truck yards, warehouses and customs brokers.
The concentration of freight in neighborhoods such as Delray and Mexicantown has raised air quality and traffic concerns, and the city and state have designated truck routes and invested in road improvements to separate trucks from residential streets.
For drayage carriers, the area offers quick access to rail, border crossings and I-75 and I-96, but traffic and construction can make timing unpredictable. Carriers familiar with the local road network handle these moves more efficiently.
Common lanes out of Detroit
Approximate one-way highway miles for the runs local carriers quote most often.
Windsor, ON
Cross-border via the Ambassador Bridge, tunnel or Gordie Howe bridge.
5 mi
Romulus / airport area
Warehouses and logistics near Detroit Metro Airport.
20 mi
Auburn Hills / Sterling Heights
Auto plants and suppliers in Oakland and Macomb counties.
30 mi
Toledo
Ohio and CSX's North Baltimore terminal area via I-75.
60 mi
Grand Rapids
West Michigan manufacturing via I-96.
155 mi
Chicago
Chicago ramps via I-94.
280 mi
Booking drayage in Detroit: what to know
Local habits that change the price and timing of a move in Detroit. Mention them when you ask for a quote.
Name the terminal
Livernois-Junction, Delray and Moterm are separate. Confirm the railroad and terminal on your notice.
Use cross-border carriers for Canada
Moves into Ontario require customs bonds and FAST credentials. Not every carrier can cross.
Match auto plant windows
Auto deliveries have tight schedules. Share plant appointment details when booking.
Plan for winter
Snow and cold can delay deliveries. Protect sensitive cargo and allow extra time.
Drayage markets near Detroit
Many carriers that serve Detroit also run these nearby ports and rail ramps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about container drayage in Detroit, MI.