Freight (trucks, rail, waterways, and air)
We are dedicated to the efficient movement of freight and commodities in Minnesota by truck, rail, water, and air. Our staff are engaged in many activities related to both freight planning and operations.
State Freight Plan
In November 2024, we adopted the Minnesota State Freight Plan. The plan is a federally required effort that envisions future needs to move goods and services to serve Minnesota’s economy over the next 20 years. It is vital to identify key investments in the freight system statewide and to better support the transportation of goods and services across modes. This update connects to previous statewide engagement efforts, including the Manufacturers’ Perspectives Studies and regional District Freight Plans.
Freight modes
Commercial vehicles support a healthy economy by connecting people to jobs, healthcare, and education, as well as providing for the movement of goods and freight. Trucks carry over 70% of all domestic freight in the U.S.
Credentials and vehicle permits
We handle credentialing for Special Transportation Services (STS) and non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) providers, limousine operators, building movers, household goods movers, and other for-hire motor carriers of freight and passengers. We also issue oversize/overweight vehicle permits for trucks transporting loads over the legal size or weight limits.
Truck parking
Truck parking is an important resource. Drivers need a safe place to park in order to rest and comply with federal hours of service regulations.
We own and maintain rest areas across the state and are the largest single provider of truck parking spaces in Minnesota. However, the majority of truck parking is owned by private companies, like truck stops, shippers and carriers. We work with these private companies, along with regulators and local governments, to better understand and address truck parking needs.
In 2019, we completed a statewide truck parking study. Since then, we have used state and federal funding to make targeted improvements to the availability of public truck parking. In 2025, we are updating our study to analyze current trends and needs.
Weigh stations
Weigh stations are an important part of Minnesota’s truck size and weight enforcement efforts. They play a key role in protecting the state’s roadway infrastructure and motorists from unsafe vehicles. Weigh stations are a partnership between MnDOT and the Minnesota State Patrol. We own and maintain the facilities, while the State Patrol’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division operates them.
Many of the state’s major industries rely on the rail system for efficient delivery of goods. Shipping freight on rail lines allows us to move cargo through the state and provides access to global markets.
At MnDOT, we coordinate rail crossing safety, trunk highway projects, and rail regulatory activities for over 4,500 public highway-rail grade crossings across the state. Minnesota has 4,274 route miles of railroads serviced by 21 railroad companies.
Rail safety
- Rail inspectors: Our State Rail Inspection program ensures railroad compliance with federal and state safety regulations to help reduce the number of rail incidents. The program helps to identify and resolve issues that could lead to derailments or other serious incidents. MnDOT has six rail inspectors to supplement Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) inspectors. They monitor railroad track, hazardous materials, motive power and equipment, signal and train control, and operating practices.
- Railroad Highway Grade Crossing Program: Our staff determine the level of warning at all public grade crossings statewide and provide technical assistance on rail safety improvement projects.
Minnesota Rail Service Improvement program
The Minnesota Rail Service Improvement (MRSI) program was established in 1976 to support Minnesota’s shipping economy by providing grants for freight rail service improvement projects that support economic development throughout the state. The program received a new appropriation of $1 million in bond funds during the 2025 Legislative Special Session.
Minnesota’s marine freight system - including river and lake ports, commercially navigable waterways and related infrastructure - plays a vital role in the state’s multimodal freight transportation system, and in the economic competitiveness of Minnesota's communities. The Mississippi River provides access to river ports to the south and the Gulf of Mexico via New Orleans; the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway provides access to other ports along the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.
Three ports on Lake Superior and four ports on 195 miles of the Mississippi River system provide essential transportation connections and access to national and international markets. We are always identifying opportunities, challenges and strategies to improve movement along this marine freight system.
Port Development Assistance Program
Our Port Development Assistance Program (PDAP) provides the state’s public port authorities with capital investment funding assistance through grants to upgrade facilities and infrastructure, as well as rehabilitate and expand port capacity.
Freight movements are measured in weight (tons) or volume. Given the nature of air transport, air cargo accounts for a proportionally small amount of overall freight cargo compared to other modes. However, air cargo is vitally important to the state’s economy, as it is primarily high value, time sensitive goods that travel by air – time sensitive mail, packages, fresh produce, flowers, medical supplies, and just-in-time manufacturing components. Thus, airports can serve as significant economic engines while serving a relatively small volume of freight.
Five Minnesota airports have significant air cargo activity:
- Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
- Duluth International Airport (DLH)
- Rochester International Airport (RST)
- Thief River Falls Regional Airport (TVF)
- Bemidji Regional Airport (BJI)