Chicago to Detroit LTL Freight Rates
Real LTL costs, transit times and carriers for freight picked up in the Chicago metro and delivered in the Detroit metro, from 129 shipments.
What LTL shipping costs from Chicago to Detroit
These are the all-in rates Armstrong customers actually paid from Chicago to Detroit from September 2025 – August 2026, including fuel and any accessorials. The range is the middle 50% of shipments in each weight bracket, so a quarter paid less and a quarter paid more, mostly because of freight class, accessorials and timing.
| Shipment weight | Typical range | Median | Shipments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 500 lb | $185 – $250 | $230 | 39 |
| 500–999 lb | $170 – $320 | $190 | 13 |
| 1,000–2,499 lb | $215 – $360 | $285 | 34 |
| 2,500–4,999 lb | $335 – $455 | $395 | 23 |
| 5,000–9,999 lb | $410 – $590 | $510 | 14 |
Historical rates, rounded to $5, shown for budgeting only. They aren’t a quote: your price depends on exact ZIPs, freight class, pickup date and accessorials. See national pallet shipping costs for comparison.
Transit time and carriers from Chicago to Detroit
The median LTL shipment from Chicago to Detroit delivered in 1 business day after pickup, and 80% arrived within 1.8 business days (based on 122 delivered shipments). Standard LTL transit is an estimate, not a promise; if a delivery date matters, ask for a guaranteed service. More on how LTL transit times work.
No single carrier wins every shipment. Central Transport, Estes Express Lines and TForce Freight moved 63% of the freight we arranged from Chicago to Detroit; the rest went to AAA Cooper Transportation and FedEx Freight and other national and regional carriers, depending on which one priced each shipment best.
| Carrier | Share of shipments |
|---|---|
| Central Transport | 36% |
| Estes Express Lines | 16% |
| TForce Freight | 11% |
| AAA Cooper Transportation | 11% |
| FedEx Freight | 6% |
What ships from Chicago to Detroit
The median shipment weighed 1,300 lb at a median freight class of 65. The most common classes were class 60 (35%), class 250 (15%) and class 65 (10%). Lighter, bulkier freight rates in higher classes and costs more per pound, which is why measuring density before you quote matters.
By type of shipper, the biggest groups were auto parts (45%), plastics & packaging (29%), wholesale distribution (9%) and industrial machinery & equipment (5%), among shipments where the shipper’s industry is known.
About this lane
Illinois is the rail and trucking crossroads of the Midwest. The Chicago area, including the I-55 and I-80 warehouse corridors near Joliet, is one of the densest LTL markets anywhere, with many carrier terminals and strong competition.
Metro areas here are defined by ZIP code prefix, so Chicago includes surrounding suburbs and industrial areas. Rates between two specific ZIPs can differ from the metro-wide range, which is why a live quote across 50+ carriers is the only way to know your price.
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Get my free rates →Frequently asked questions
How much does LTL shipping cost from Chicago to Detroit?
For a 500–999 lb shipment from Chicago to Detroit, the middle half of Armstrong customers paid $170 to $320 all-in, median $190 (September 2025 – August 2026). Class, accessorials and exact ZIPs move the price; get a quote for your shipment.
How long does LTL freight take from Chicago to Detroit?
The median shipment from Chicago to Detroit delivered 1 business day after pickup, and 80% arrived within 1.8 business days.
Which carriers ship LTL from Chicago to Detroit?
On freight Armstrong arranged from Chicago to Detroit, the most-used carriers were Central Transport, Estes Express Lines, TForce Freight and AAA Cooper Transportation. The best-priced carrier changes shipment by shipment.
Related
Figures are from LTL freight arranged through the Armstrong Transport Group network, September 2025 – August 2026, for pickups and deliveries within each metro’s ZIP-code area. Price ranges are the middle 50% of all-in paid rates, rounded to $5, for budgeting only. See our data methodology.