Location matters, and in Southwestern Illinois, businesses benefit from one of the most connected logistics corridors in the Midwest. This region offers seamless access to both domestic and global markets, whether you require the multimodal transportation of raw materials, finished goods, or personnel. With less congestion, lower costs, and infrastructure already in place, Southwestern Illinois helps you spend less time navigating bottlenecks and more time accelerating growth.
Intersected by five major interstates, including I-55, I-64, I-70, I-255, and I-270, Southwestern Illinois offers fast, efficient highway access in every direction. With lighter traffic and shorter average commute times than nearby metro cores, the region offers a competitive advantage in both freight logistics and workforce mobility.
Day’s drive to 50% of the U.S. population
15-minute average commute time for residents
Direct highway access to St. Louis, Chicago, Memphis, and Indianapolis
Industrial parks and logistics centers are strategically positioned within minutes of major highway corridors, with many offering shovel-ready sites.
Southwestern Illinois is a Class I rail hub, served by Union Pacific, BNSF, CSX, and Norfolk Southern, along with multiple regional short-line operators. The result? Freight flexibility and coast-to-coast access for manufacturers, warehousing and distribution operations, and commodity shippers.
4 Class I railroads with direct national connections
300+ miles of track across the region
Service to multiple transload and intermodal facilities
Rail-served industrial sites are readily available, with direct access to switching yards and intermodal terminals.
The Port District of Southwestern Illinois is part of the third-largest inland port in the U.S., offering barge access to the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi River. Public and private port terminals offer flexible shipping solutions for bulk, breakbulk, and containerized goods.
3 public ports: America’s Central Port, Kaskaskia Regional Port District, and St. Louis Port Authority
45 million tons of freight moved annually through the port system
Connections to road, rail, and warehouse infrastructure within miles
Ideal for grain, steel, coal, and aggregate shipments headed to domestic and international destinations.
Southwestern Illinois is home to two key airports. St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) provides global air cargo and commercial connections, offering direct flights to dozens of major U.S. cities and international hubs, making it a vital gateway for both business and leisure travelers in Southwestern Illinois. MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV) offers commercial passenger service, a 10,000-ft runway, and foreign trade zone benefits. With proximity to Scott Air Force Base, MidAmerica also benefits from world-class aviation infrastructure and 24/7 operations.
1.7M passengers through STL annually
BLV cargo capacity supports large freighter aircraft and international shipments
Located within Foreign Trade Zone #31, offering tariff and tax advantages
Air-served industrial sites are available within minutes of runways and logistics hubs.