Midwest metros ranked for new tunnel car washes

All 284 metro and micro areas based in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota, ranked by whitespace index at one tunnel per 20,000 people. Updated November 2, 2026.

Open the map On the map, Jump to a region moves the view to the Midwest.

Rankings by region: U.S. top 100 · Southeast · Northeast and Mid-Atlantic · Midwest · South Central · Mountain West · Pacific

The top five Midwest metros by whitespace index are Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN; Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI; Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI; Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN; Cleveland, OH. A metro that spans regions is listed under its principal state, the first state in its name.

Tunnel car washes by state

State	Operating tunnels	In development
Illinois	470	13
Ohio	451	3
Michigan	398	30
Indiana	282	4
Missouri	246	3
Wisconsin	138	11
Iowa	137	0
Minnesota	126	3
Kansas	115	0
Nebraska	86	8
South Dakota	38	1
North Dakota	20	1
Total	2,507	77

Actual counts of tunnel car wash locations on the map, by the state of each location (verified October 2026). Tunnels in development are reported projects, not all confirmed.

Midwest metro ranking

Whitespace index (estimate): the weighted population in a metro's tracts that are short of tunnel car washes, divided by 20,000. Dense urban tracts are weighted down and income nudges demand. It ranks markets to study; it is not a count of buildable sites. Tunnels (operating only; tunnels in development are their own column and count as open in the index) and population are actual counts (tunnels verified October 2026, population Esri 2024 estimates). Rankings at 25,000 and 15,000 people per tunnel are in the map's market table.

Region rank	U.S. rank	Metro	Whitespace index (est.)	Population 2024	Tunnels	In development	People per tunnel
1	7	Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	112.9	9,280,082	366	13	25,355
2	13	Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	82.1	3,790,663	86	3	44,077
3	22	Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	44.1	4,364,290	214	18	20,394
4	25	Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	37.1	2,284,819	78	1	29,293
5	26	Cleveland, OH	37.0	2,165,812	82	1	26,412
6	27	St. Louis, MO-IL	35.9	2,824,501	115	0	24,561
7	30	Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN	33.2	2,173,541	74	0	29,372
8	34	Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI	26.8	1,571,006	50	3	31,420
9	37	Columbus, OH	23.4	2,209,888	97	0	22,782
10	42	Kansas City, MO-KS	20.9	2,246,258	112	2	20,056
11	57	Madison, WI	11.3	706,315	13	4	54,332
12	59	Omaha, NE-IA	11.0	998,882	44	4	22,702
13	67	Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI	8.6	1,174,989	52	3	22,596
14	70	Ann Arbor, MI	8.2	369,917	10	0	36,992
15	73	Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH	7.9	816,932	37	0	22,079
16	75	Akron, OH	7.4	697,418	28	0	24,908
17	85	Wichita, KS	6.4	655,685	26	0	25,219
18	110	Rockford, IL	3.5	332,453	16	1	20,778
19	113	Lansing-East Lansing, MI	3.4	474,206	14	0	33,872
20	115	Canton-Massillon, OH	3.3	398,640	14	0	28,474
21	116	South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI	3.3	324,116	14	0	23,151
22	118	Toledo, OH	3.3	601,335	35	1	17,181
23	119	Lincoln, NE	3.2	350,618	18	3	19,479
24	120	Bloomington, IN	3.2	162,263	2	0	81,132
25	121	Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	3.2	751,652	45	0	16,703
26	123	Youngstown-Warren, OH	3.1	423,936	25	0	16,957
27	124	Green Bay, WI	3.0	334,175	6	0	55,696
28	129	Fort Wayne, IN	2.9	461,278	20	0	23,064
29	130	Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	2.8	380,564	17	0	22,386
30	136	Kalamazoo-Portage, MI	2.4	263,225	8	0	32,903
31	141	Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI	2.3	196,885	7	0	28,126
32	142	La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN	2.3	171,899	2	0	85,950
33	145	Flint, MI	2.2	399,898	21	1	19,043
34	151	Evansville, IN	1.8	271,215	13	0	20,863
35	153	Champaign-Urbana, IL	1.7	236,443	7	0	33,778
36	155	Lawrence, KS	1.7	120,975	3	0	40,325
37	159	Kenosha, WI	1.5	168,206	7	0	24,029
38	160	Sheboygan, WI	1.5	118,685	3	0	39,562
39	168	Duluth, MN-WI	1.3	280,864	4	0	70,216
40	180	Minot, ND	1.2	77,630	2	0	38,815
41	182	Appleton, WI	1.2	248,224	11	0	22,566
42	185	Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN	1.2	229,300	12	0	19,108
43	189	Columbia, MO	1.1	217,844	8	1	27,230
44	190	Oshkosh-Neenah, WI	1.1	171,997	6	1	28,666
45	193	Mankato, MN	1.0	105,728	2	0	52,864
46	195	Springfield, MO	1.0	493,913	24	0	20,580
47	197	Decatur, IL	1.0	100,298	5	0	20,060
48	202	Cedar Rapids, IA	1.0	279,372	11	0	25,397
49	208	Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA	0.9	168,214	8	0	21,027
50	209	Rochester, MN	0.9	233,395	5	0	46,679
51	211	Faribault-Northfield, MN (micro)	0.9	68,382	3	0	22,794
52	212	Sandusky, OH	0.9	114,326	1	0	114,326
53	213	Quincy, IL-MO (micro)	0.8	74,048	1	0	74,048
54	217	Fargo, ND-MN	0.8	266,262	17	1	15,662
55	221	Bloomington, IL	0.8	170,899	7	0	24,414
56	231	Dubuque, IA	0.6	100,051	6	0	16,675
57	236	Battle Creek, MI	0.6	133,307	6	0	22,218
58	239	St. Joseph, MO-KS	0.6	119,127	4	0	29,782
59	246	Saginaw, MI	0.5	187,949	8	0	23,494
60	247	Iowa City, IA	0.5	183,619	10	0	18,362
61	251	Eau Claire, WI	0.5	176,482	3	0	58,827
62	252	Norfolk, NE (micro)	0.5	48,681	2	0	24,340
63	254	Richmond, IN (micro)	0.5	65,950	2	0	32,975
64	257	Grand Forks, ND-MN	0.5	104,457	2	0	52,228
65	258	Topeka, KS	0.4	231,624	7	0	33,089
66	259	Ames, IA	0.4	128,086	6	0	21,348
67	260	Bismarck, ND	0.4	138,661	2	0	69,330
68	261	Elkhart-Goshen, IN	0.4	208,937	13	0	16,072
69	273	Menomonie, WI (micro)	0.3	45,730	0	0	none open
70	275	Monroe, MI	0.3	156,254	4	2	39,064
71	276	Owatonna, MN (micro)	0.3	37,654	0	0	none open
72	277	Jackson, MI	0.3	159,775	5	0	31,955
73	280	Dickinson, ND (micro)	0.3	39,747	1	0	39,747
74	283	Mansfield, OH	0.3	125,492	7	0	17,927
75	284	Traverse City, MI	0.3	157,926	2	0	78,963
76	287	Michigan City-La Porte, IN	0.2	112,344	4	1	28,086
77	290	Janesville-Beloit, WI	0.2	164,760	6	0	27,460
78	295	Clinton, IA (micro)	0.2	46,051	1	0	46,051
79	298	Emporia, KS (micro)	0.2	34,201	0	0	none open
80	299	Springfield, IL	0.1	205,573	11	0	18,688
81	305	Manhattan, KS	0.1	134,210	6	0	22,368
82	306	Manitowoc, WI (micro)	0.1	81,114	2	0	40,557
83	312	Niles, MI	0.1	152,520	3	1	50,840
84	313	Kankakee, IL	0.1	105,052	5	0	21,010
85	314	Peoria, IL	0.1	360,543	18	0	20,030
86	316	Aberdeen, SD (micro)	0.0	42,314	1	0	42,314
87	316	Adrian, MI (micro)	0.0	98,799	2	0	49,400
88	316	Albert Lea, MN (micro)	0.0	30,691	0	0	none open
89	316	Alexandria, MN (micro)	0.0	40,136	2	0	20,068
90	316	Alma, MI (micro)	0.0	41,053	1	0	41,053
91	316	Alpena, MI (micro)	0.0	28,699	2	0	14,350
92	316	Angola, IN (micro)	0.0	34,530	2	0	17,265
93	316	Arkansas City-Winfield, KS (micro)	0.0	34,177	0	0	none open
94	316	Ashland, OH (micro)	0.0	52,290	2	0	26,145
95	316	Atchison, KS (micro)	0.0	16,007	1	0	16,007
96	316	Athens, OH (micro)	0.0	58,818	1	0	58,818
97	316	Auburn, IN (micro)	0.0	43,862	2	1	21,931
98	316	Austin, MN (micro)	0.0	40,261	1	0	40,261
99	316	Baraboo, WI (micro)	0.0	66,602	1	1	66,602
100	316	Bay City, MI	0.0	102,125	3	1	34,042
101	316	Beatrice, NE (micro)	0.0	21,543	1	0	21,543
102	316	Beaver Dam, WI (micro)	0.0	88,621	1	1	88,621
103	316	Bedford, IN (micro)	0.0	44,835	2	0	22,418
104	316	Bellefontaine, OH (micro)	0.0	46,255	2	0	23,128
105	316	Bemidji, MN (micro)	0.0	47,152	2	0	23,576
106	316	Big Rapids, MI (micro)	0.0	39,888	1	1	39,888
107	316	Brainerd, MN (micro)	0.0	99,823	3	0	33,274
108	316	Branson, MO (micro)	0.0	57,865	4	0	14,466
109	316	Brookings, SD (micro)	0.0	35,763	1	0	35,763
110	316	Bucyrus, OH (micro)	0.0	41,260	2	0	20,630
111	316	Burlington, IA-IL (micro)	0.0	44,180	3	0	14,727
112	316	Cadillac, MI (micro)	0.0	49,411	2	0	24,706
113	316	Cambridge, OH (micro)	0.0	37,770	1	0	37,770
114	316	Canton, IL (micro)	0.0	32,375	0	0	none open
115	316	Cape Girardeau, MO-IL	0.0	98,731	8	0	12,341
116	316	Carbondale, IL (micro)	0.0	50,916	1	0	50,916
117	316	Carroll, IA (micro)	0.0	20,668	0	0	none open
118	316	Celina, OH (micro)	0.0	42,697	1	0	42,697
119	316	Centralia, IL (micro)	0.0	36,502	0	0	none open
120	316	Charleston-Mattoon, IL (micro)	0.0	45,222	1	0	45,222
121	316	Chillicothe, OH (micro)	0.0	76,446	2	0	38,223
122	316	Coldwater, MI (micro)	0.0	44,671	2	0	22,336
123	316	Columbus, IN	0.0	84,136	4	0	21,034
124	316	Columbus, NE (micro)	0.0	45,272	3	0	15,091
125	316	Connersville, IN (micro)	0.0	23,173	0	0	none open
126	316	Coshocton, OH (micro)	0.0	36,366	1	0	36,366
127	316	Crawfordsville, IN (micro)	0.0	37,994	1	0	37,994
128	316	Danville, IL (micro)	0.0	71,017	3	0	23,672
129	316	Decatur, IN (micro)	0.0	36,307	2	0	18,154
130	316	Defiance, OH (micro)	0.0	38,025	2	0	19,012
131	316	Detroit Lakes, MN (micro)	0.0	35,984	1	0	35,984
132	316	Dixon, IL (micro)	0.0	33,434	2	0	16,717
133	316	Dodge City, KS (micro)	0.0	33,949	1	0	33,949
134	316	Effingham, IL (micro)	0.0	44,460	2	0	22,230
135	316	Escanaba, MI (micro)	0.0	36,605	0	0	none open
136	316	Fairmont, MN (micro)	0.0	19,625	0	0	none open
137	316	Farmington, MO (micro)	0.0	67,778	1	0	67,778
138	316	Fergus Falls, MN (micro)	0.0	60,868	1	0	60,868
139	316	Findlay, OH (micro)	0.0	74,929	5	0	14,986
140	316	Fond du Lac, WI	0.0	104,479	3	0	34,826
141	316	Fort Dodge, IA (micro)	0.0	36,584	2	0	18,292
142	316	Fort Leonard Wood, MO (micro)	0.0	54,312	2	0	27,156
143	316	Fort Madison, IA (micro)	0.0	32,558	0	0	none open
144	316	Frankfort, IN (micro)	0.0	33,078	2	0	16,539
145	316	Freeport, IL (micro)	0.0	42,879	3	0	14,293
146	316	Fremont, NE (micro)	0.0	37,226	2	0	18,613
147	316	Fremont, OH (micro)	0.0	58,267	1	0	58,267
148	316	Galesburg, IL (micro)	0.0	48,207	3	0	16,069
149	316	Gallipolis, OH (micro)	0.0	28,858	1	0	28,858
150	316	Garden City, KS (micro)	0.0	38,076	1	0	38,076
151	316	Grand Island, NE	0.0	77,239	5	0	15,448
152	316	Grand Rapids, MN (micro)	0.0	44,968	1	0	44,968
153	316	Great Bend, KS (micro)	0.0	24,786	0	0	none open
154	316	Greencastle, IN (micro)	0.0	37,251	1	0	37,251
155	316	Greensburg, IN (micro)	0.0	26,481	2	0	13,240
156	316	Greenville, OH (micro)	0.0	51,308	1	0	51,308
157	316	Hannibal, MO (micro)	0.0	38,774	0	0	none open
158	316	Hastings, NE (micro)	0.0	40,433	3	1	13,478
159	316	Hays, KS (micro)	0.0	28,880	2	0	14,440
160	316	Hillsdale, MI (micro)	0.0	45,621	1	0	45,621
161	316	Holland, MI (micro)	0.0	123,330	4	1	30,832
162	316	Houghton, MI (micro)	0.0	39,174	0	0	none open
163	316	Huntington, IN (micro)	0.0	36,863	2	0	18,432
164	316	Huron, SD (micro)	0.0	19,595	1	0	19,595
165	316	Hutchinson, KS (micro)	0.0	60,946	2	0	30,473
166	316	Hutchinson, MN (micro)	0.0	36,961	1	0	36,961
167	316	Iron Mountain, MI-WI (micro)	0.0	30,334	1	0	30,334
168	316	Jacksonville, IL (micro)	0.0	36,592	1	0	36,592
169	316	Jamestown, ND (micro)	0.0	21,579	0	0	none open
170	316	Jasper, IN (micro)	0.0	44,126	3	0	14,709
171	316	Jefferson City, MO	0.0	150,427	4	0	37,607
172	316	Joplin, MO-KS	0.0	204,366	13	0	15,720
173	316	Kearney, NE (micro)	0.0	57,979	3	0	19,326
174	316	Kendallville, IN (micro)	0.0	47,420	2	0	23,710
175	316	Kennett, MO (micro)	0.0	27,070	0	0	none open
176	316	Kirksville, MO (micro)	0.0	29,300	1	0	29,300
177	316	Kokomo, IN	0.0	84,066	7	0	12,009
178	316	Le Mars, IA (micro)	0.0	25,945	1	0	25,945
179	316	Lebanon, MO (micro)	0.0	36,324	1	0	36,324
180	316	Lexington, NE (micro)	0.0	25,699	0	0	none open
181	316	Liberal, KS (micro)	0.0	21,312	0	0	none open
182	316	Lima, OH	0.0	100,862	3	0	33,621
183	316	Lincoln, IL (micro)	0.0	27,410	2	0	13,705
184	316	Logansport, IN (micro)	0.0	37,324	2	0	18,662
185	316	Ludington, MI (micro)	0.0	29,538	1	1	29,538
186	316	Macomb, IL (micro)	0.0	26,042	2	0	13,021
187	316	Madison, IN (micro)	0.0	33,115	1	0	33,115
188	316	Marietta, OH (micro)	0.0	58,842	1	0	58,842
189	316	Marinette, WI-MI (micro)	0.0	64,946	1	0	64,946
190	316	Marion, IN (micro)	0.0	65,484	3	0	21,828
191	316	Marion, OH (micro)	0.0	64,492	2	0	32,246
192	316	Marion-Herrin, IL (micro)	0.0	66,269	1	0	66,269
193	316	Marquette, MI (micro)	0.0	66,122	1	0	66,122
194	316	Marshall, MN (micro)	0.0	25,217	0	0	none open
195	316	Marshall, MO (micro)	0.0	23,022	1	0	23,022
196	316	Marshalltown, IA (micro)	0.0	39,730	4	0	9,932
197	316	Maryville, MO (micro)	0.0	20,719	0	0	none open
198	316	Mason City, IA (micro)	0.0	49,734	1	0	49,734
199	316	McPherson, KS (micro)	0.0	30,057	1	0	30,057
200	316	Mexico, MO (micro)	0.0	24,258	0	0	none open
201	316	Midland, MI	0.0	83,486	4	0	20,872
202	316	Mitchell, SD (micro)	0.0	26,089	1	0	26,089
203	316	Moberly, MO (micro)	0.0	24,519	3	0	8,173
204	316	Monticello, IN (micro)	0.0	24,582	1	0	24,582
205	316	Mount Pleasant, MI (micro)	0.0	63,435	3	0	21,145
206	316	Mount Vernon, IL (micro)	0.0	36,126	3	0	12,042
207	316	Mount Vernon, OH (micro)	0.0	63,996	0	0	none open
208	316	Muncie, IN	0.0	110,865	8	0	13,858
209	316	Muscatine, IA (micro)	0.0	42,591	2	0	21,296
210	316	Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI	0.0	177,626	7	0	25,375
211	316	New Castle, IN (micro)	0.0	48,699	3	0	16,233
212	316	New Philadelphia-Dover, OH (micro)	0.0	92,238	2	0	46,119
213	316	New Ulm, MN (micro)	0.0	25,817	2	0	12,908
214	316	North Platte, NE (micro)	0.0	34,406	1	0	34,406
215	316	Norwalk, OH (micro)	0.0	58,028	2	0	29,014
216	316	Oskaloosa, IA (micro)	0.0	21,895	0	0	none open
217	316	Ottawa, IL (micro)	0.0	145,078	5	0	29,016
218	316	Ottawa, KS (micro)	0.0	26,038	2	0	13,019
219	316	Ottumwa, IA (micro)	0.0	35,130	2	0	17,565
220	316	Owosso, MI (micro)	0.0	67,591	2	1	33,796
221	316	Pella, IA (micro)	0.0	33,662	1	0	33,662
222	316	Peru, IN (micro)	0.0	35,614	1	0	35,614
223	316	Petoskey, MI (micro)	0.0	34,678	3	0	11,559
224	316	Pierre, SD (micro)	0.0	20,828	0	0	none open
225	316	Pittsburg, KS (micro)	0.0	38,935	3	0	12,978
226	316	Platteville, WI (micro)	0.0	51,301	0	0	none open
227	316	Plymouth, IN (micro)	0.0	46,095	2	1	23,048
228	316	Pontiac, IL (micro)	0.0	35,243	0	0	none open
229	316	Poplar Bluff, MO (micro)	0.0	41,897	2	0	20,948
230	316	Portsmouth, OH (micro)	0.0	71,648	2	0	35,824
231	316	Rapid City, SD	0.0	156,235	9	1	17,359
232	316	Red Wing, MN (micro)	0.0	48,330	1	0	48,330
233	316	Rice Lake, WI (micro)	0.0	47,252	0	0	none open
234	316	Rochelle, IL (micro)	0.0	50,851	0	0	none open
235	316	Rolla, MO (micro)	0.0	44,988	1	0	44,988
236	316	Salem, OH (micro)	0.0	99,345	2	0	49,672
237	316	Salina, KS (micro)	0.0	59,250	3	0	19,750
238	316	Sault Ste. Marie, MI (micro)	0.0	35,931	0	0	none open
239	316	Scottsbluff, NE (micro)	0.0	36,193	2	0	18,096
240	316	Sedalia, MO (micro)	0.0	43,419	4	0	10,855
241	316	Seymour, IN (micro)	0.0	47,053	3	0	15,684
242	316	Shawano, WI (micro)	0.0	44,929	0	0	none open
243	316	Sidney, OH (micro)	0.0	47,688	1	0	47,688
244	316	Sikeston, MO (micro)	0.0	49,100	0	0	none open
245	316	Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	0.0	145,913	10	0	14,591
246	316	Sioux Falls, SD-MN	0.0	311,500	22	0	14,159
247	316	Sparta, WI (micro)	0.0	46,665	0	0	none open
248	316	Spearfish, SD (micro)	0.0	27,384	0	0	none open
249	316	Spencer, IA (micro)	0.0	16,297	0	0	none open
250	316	Spirit Lake, IA (micro)	0.0	18,226	0	0	none open
251	316	Springfield, OH	0.0	134,712	6	0	22,452
252	316	St. Cloud, MN	0.0	204,085	5	0	40,817
253	316	Sterling, IL (micro)	0.0	54,235	2	0	27,118
254	316	Stevens Point-Plover, WI (micro)	0.0	70,765	4	0	17,691
255	316	Storm Lake, IA (micro)	0.0	20,712	2	0	10,356
256	316	Sturgis, MI (micro)	0.0	60,710	4	0	15,178
257	316	Taylorville, IL (micro)	0.0	32,970	0	0	none open
258	316	Terre Haute, IN	0.0	167,745	6	0	27,958
259	316	Tiffin, OH (micro)	0.0	54,428	2	0	27,214
260	316	Urbana, OH (micro)	0.0	38,602	0	0	none open
261	316	Van Wert, OH (micro)	0.0	28,749	2	0	14,374
262	316	Vermillion, SD (micro)	0.0	15,559	0	0	none open
263	316	Vincennes, IN (micro)	0.0	35,617	2	0	17,808
264	316	Wabash, IN (micro)	0.0	30,592	2	0	15,296
265	316	Wahpeton, ND-MN (micro)	0.0	22,918	0	0	none open
266	316	Wapakoneta, OH (micro)	0.0	46,199	0	0	none open
267	316	Warrensburg, MO (micro)	0.0	54,649	2	0	27,324
268	316	Warsaw, IN (micro)	0.0	81,031	2	0	40,516
269	316	Washington Court House, OH (micro)	0.0	28,910	3	0	9,637
270	316	Washington, IN (micro)	0.0	33,868	0	0	none open
271	316	Watertown, SD (micro)	0.0	28,976	2	0	14,488
272	316	Watertown-Fort Atkinson, WI (micro)	0.0	86,210	1	1	86,210
273	316	Wausau, WI	0.0	138,563	4	0	34,641
274	316	West Plains, MO (micro)	0.0	40,204	1	0	40,204
275	316	Whitewater-Elkhorn, WI (micro)	0.0	105,876	1	0	105,876
276	316	Williston, ND (micro)	0.0	41,151	0	0	none open
277	316	Willmar, MN (micro)	0.0	44,293	1	0	44,293
278	316	Wilmington, OH (micro)	0.0	41,840	2	0	20,920
279	316	Winona, MN (micro)	0.0	49,477	1	0	49,477
280	316	Wisconsin Rapids-Marshfield, WI (micro)	0.0	73,951	4	0	18,488
281	316	Wooster, OH (micro)	0.0	116,765	2	0	58,382
282	316	Worthington, MN (micro)	0.0	22,146	0	0	none open
283	316	Yankton, SD (micro)	0.0	23,632	1	0	23,632
284	316	Zanesville, OH (micro)	0.0	86,332	4	0	21,583