Logistics

The potential in Greater Lafayette was not lost on the French in 1717, when they chose this area to build the first fortified European settlement in, what is now, all of Indiana. True, your goals today are likely different from those of the colonial French—defensive positioning, access to the region’s wealth of furs, and a base for the spread of Christianity. But the strategic value of Greater Lafayette is still undeniable, as it represents a centerpoint among all the resources and markets you need to build a strong “fort” for business.

Highway

Greater Lafayette thrives along one of the Midwest’s most prominent north-south corridors—Interstate 65. Just minutes south is Indianapolis, known as the Circle City and a leading U.S. transportation hub, with Interstates 65, 69, 70 and 74 radiating out to the nation literally like spokes on a wheel.

Ground

More than 40 major motor freight carriers serve Indiana, providing highly competitive rates and overnight trucking services to more than 30 metropolitan cities. Further, even among other Midwest states, Indiana’s roadways are measurably uncongested.

Percent of Interstates being used at 80% capacity:
IN	IL	KY	MI	OH
9.9	40.4	30.6	33.4	38.0
Source: U.S. DOT, Fed. Hwy. Adm.

Air

Indiana is ranked 7th in the nation for access to air transport, and all of the world’s leading air cargo and package services operate major facilities here, including UPS, FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service.

• Purdue University Airport is a local airport offering charter flights and a perfect storage location for corporate jets.
• Indianapolis International is only a 50-minute drive south.
• Chicago’s O’Hare International and Midway airports are both less than a 3-hour drive north.

Rail

Greater Lafayette’s history in rail transportation dates back to the Monon Railroad that was one of the few successful north–south lines of the 1800s. Now, Indiana is served by roughly 40 freight railroads, with 4,250 miles of track and direct rail service to 90 of the state’s 92 counties.

• CSX
• Norfolk Southern Railroad
• Kankakee, Beaverville & Southern Railroad

Water

Indiana's International Port on Lake Michigan, about 90 miles north of Greater Lafayette, is a deepwater port served by the nation’s nine, class-one carriers. It provides access to the world through the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway. Major interstate, U.S. and state highways feed into the Port, while the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad provides switching service on Port property. South is a gateway to the nation’s inland waterway system. The Ohio River is the most thoroughly modern waterway in the world and it transits more cargo each year than the Panama Canal. Visit the Ports of Indiana