How Amazon's Logistics Network Sprawls Across the U.S.

As Amazon has grown from an online books dealer to a global e-commerce behemoth offering everything from dog food to dishwashers, the logistics behind its operations have become a real challenge. To handle the ever-growing volume of shipments and add new services such as Prime Now and Amazon Fresh, the company is constantly expanding its logistics network both in the U.S. and internationally.

In 2016 alone, Amazon opened 26 new fulfillment centers in the United States and shows no signs of slowing down in early 2017. In January, the company announced plans to open new facilities in Maryland, Texas, Florida and Colorado, with more certainly to come. By summer 2018, Amazon plans to create 100,000 additional jobs in the United States, most of them in logistics.

The chart below, based on data compiled by logistics consulting firm MWPVL, illustrates Amazon’s footprint across the country. With more than 20 fulfillment centers each, the company’s presence is particularly strong in California and Texas, with Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, Kentucky and its home-state Washington also hosting more than 10 of Amazon’s logistics facilities.