North Carolina’s central location on the eastern seaboard and excellent transportation infrastructure make our state an optimal point for access to markets and customers, keeping freight and delivery costs low.
Major interstates, international airports and deep-water seaports keep commerce moving across North Carolina, the United States and the world. And the home base is growing, too: Currently ranked as the ninth most-populous state in the U.S., our population recently surpassed 10 million, thanks to a growth rate nearly twice the national average.
North Carolina’s central location makes it easily accessible from anywhere on the East Coast, keeping freight and delivery costs low.
North Carolina offers global market access via the second-largest state-maintained highway system in the U.S., four major airports and two seaports.
North Carolina is one plane change away from virtually any major city in the world.
Enjoy convenient access to domestic and global markets via four international airports:
The state also is home to 11 regional and more than 100 general aviation facilities.
The North Carolina coast is home to two deep-water seaports:
Port of Morehead City
Port of Wilmington
In addition, inland terminals in Charlotte and Greensboro sit at the heart of the Southeast’s manufacturing and distribution sites.
North Carolina is home to the largest consolidated rail system in the country. These rail connections extend all the way to the coast, enabling the state ports in Morehead City and Wilmington to offer import and export services to a large market.
Highlights of our rail system include:
North Carolina boasts the second-largest state-owned highway system in the nation, comprised of more than 90,000 miles of road. What’s more, the state’s central East Coast location offers easy access to some of the country’s most important transportation corridors.
Major controlled-access arteries include: