Profitable Chicago Facility Loads for Amazon Relay Local Carriers

Every carrier wants more profitable loads, but in a market as competitive as Chicago, finding them isn’t always easy. 

Hidden in plain sight are short facility-to-facility runs that smart carriers use to boost their daily gross without leaving the metro.

The question is, how do you tap into them and make the most of every mile?

How Chicago Cross-Town Runs Beat Long Hauls?

Think of trucking like boxing: long hauls go the distance, but Chicago’s short runs land the knockout punch. 

Chicago’s cross-town shuttles let you stack multiple trips in one shift and still be home nightly.

That’s the beauty of Chicago facility loads. With Amazon warehouses packed tightly across Aurora, Joliet, Matteson, Huntley, and West Chicago, the short distances mean:

• Higher pay per mile: Cross-town shuttles often average $4–$5 per mile, compared to many OTR lanes paying $1.50–$2.00.

• More turns per day: Instead of one 500-mile haul, you can run 4–5 short facility loads in a single shift.

• Less fuel, less wear: Short trips mean fewer gallons burned and less stress on your truck.

• Home every night: Local work keeps drivers close to family while still hitting strong daily gross.

For owner-operators and small fleet dispatchers, that combination of profitability + lifestyle is why Chicago cross-town runs consistently beat long-hauls.

Mapping Chicago’s Most Active Amazon Warehouses

Chicago’s freight advantage comes from density, a tight cluster of Amazon warehouses, rail ramps, and partner facilities spread across the metro area. 

For carriers, this means more facility-to-facility runs, higher frequency, and less deadhead.

Here are the key facilities from the Chicago Relay map that matter most to local carriers:

• Aurora – MDW9: Amazon’s flagship hub in Chicagoland. High-volume outbound loads and short cross-town runs. Key lanes to West Chicago (12–20 mi), Romeoville (29 mi), and Joliet (33 mi).

• Joliet – MDW2: A major Amazon cross-dock along I-80. Frequent shuttles to ORD9 (13 mi), Corwith rail ramp (55 mi), and Matteson (21 mi).

• Matteson – ORD5: A southern suburb hub connecting Joliet and Monee. High-frequency short runs: Joliet (21 mi), Monee (7.7 mi), and IGQ1 (10 mi).

• West Chicago Facilities (SIL3, Supply Chain, etc.): A cluster of fulfillment and sort centers in DuPage County. Short loops to Aurora (12 mi) and Romeoville (29 mi).

• Huntley – RFD Hub: Northwest suburban hub. Connects with Palentine DLN8 (29 mi), Aurora (31 mi), and Corwith (64 mi).

• Corwith Intermodal Ramp (Chicago): A major rail hub where Amazon freight often ties into intermodal. Nearby connections to DXH5 (3.5 mi), Cicero (6 mi), and Landers (10 mi).

• Romeoville – DCX6: A smaller but important cross-town facility. Often pairs with West Chicago (29 mi) and Aurora (29 mi).

• Palentine – DLN8: North suburban facility, frequently running to Aurora (33 mi) and Romeoville (36 mi).

• Willow Springs Yard: A key rail and intermodal connection point. Short lanes to Cicero (12 mi) and CSX (8 mi).

  
  

What Makes These Facilities a Goldmine for Local Runs

Dense clustering = higher turns: Aurora, Joliet, and West Chicago are less than 35 miles apart, allowing multiple loops daily.

Blend of Amazon + Intermodal: Ties at Corwith and Willow Springs are ideal for Amazon Prime 53-ft Chicago rails operations.

Consistent volume: These hubs feed Chicago’s last-mile and outbound freight network, creating reliable daily work.

How to Be Profitable with Chicago Facility Loads

Profit in Chicago isn’t about driving farther, it’s about stacking the right short runs.

The formula is simple:

Profit = (Rate Per Mile × Miles) × Number of Runs – Expenses

Let’s break it down with real examples from Chicago’s facility network:

• Aurora (MDW9) → Joliet (MDW2) 25 miles × $4.50/mi = $112 one way

• Joliet (MDW2) → Matteson (ORD5) 32 miles × $4.25/mi = $136 one way

• Aurora (MDW9) → West Chicago 20 miles × $5.00/mi = $100 one way

Now, stack them:

Daily Example:

• Run Aurora → Joliet ($112)

• Joliet → Matteson ($136)

• Matteson → Aurora ($125 est.)

• Aurora → West Chicago ($100)

Total Gross = $473 (in ~5–6 hours of driving).

Add a fifth short shuttle and your gross easily climbs to $600+ per day, while still being home nightly.

Challenges to Keep in Mind

Even profitable short-haul work comes with hurdles:

• Congestion: Chicago traffic adds time if you don’t plan around peak hours.

• Facility Wait Times: Aurora and Joliet yards can back up during busy seasons.

• System Errors: Relay app glitches or missed check-ins may unfairly hit your score.

The good news: most of these issues can be managed with smart planning, and disputes can clear up performance hits when they happen.

How to Maximize Chicago Facility Loads

Here’s our dispatch expert's advice on how to maximize your runs and keep your trucks profitable in Chicago’s facility network:

• Plan Ahead: Book back-to-back loads between Aurora, Joliet, and Matteson to cut deadhead.

• Time It Right: Avoid peak congestion hours for smoother turns.

• Protect Your Score: Don’t let unfair rejections stick; dispute penalties to keep access to premium loads.

• Focus on Consistency: Regular short-hauls pay better overall than chasing long one-off runs.

Choose the Leading USA Amazon Local Load Dispatching Team

At Amazon Relay Dispatch Services, we understand the importance of Chicago’s cross-town routes for local carriers. 

That’s why we combine smart strategy with AI-powered dispatch planning to keep your trucks profitable. 

Our system helps you identify the highest-paying facility loads in real-time, link back-to-back runs that eliminate deadhead, balance driver hours for maximum daily earnings, and ensure your trucks stay loaded with premium freight.

Our services include:

•  Handling load cancellations, detention, and layovers to protect your revenue

•  Resolving performance and compliance disputes

•  Fixing rejections and penalties, even driver-related ones

•  Monitoring score metrics to protect access to premium loads

•  Communicating with Amazon and brokers

•  Keeping your fleet running smoothly when issues arise

•  Booking the most profitable Chicago facility runs while minimizing deadhead and planning ahead

Book a free consultation today and let us help you secure more profitable Chicago facility loads while protecting your Amazon Relay account.

FAQs About Chicago Amazon Relay Facility Loads

1. How much do Chicago Amazon facility loads pay?

Most cross-town runs between Aurora, Joliet, Matteson, and West Chicago average $4–$5 per mile, with short trips paying $100–$150 each.

2. Can I run multiple Amazon Relay loads in a single day?

Many local carriers complete 4–5 short hauls per day in Chicago, grossing $500–$700 daily while still being home at night.

3. Does Amazon pay for canceled loads?

If Amazon cancels a load within 2 hours of pickup time, carriers typically receive a $175 cancellation fee as compensation.

4. What requirements do I need to book Chicago Amazon Relay loads?

Carriers must have active DOT/MC authority (at least 180 days old), $1M auto liability insurance, $100k cargo insurance, and power units (day cab or sleeper). Many Chicago runs are power-only, so you won’t need your own trailer.

5. How do I avoid performance score penalties on short-haul runs?

Plan routes carefully to minimize congestion delays, always check in with the Relay app, and dispute unfair penalties. Even if a driver was late or overbooked, many rejections can still be overturned.