The primary function of the Erie Canal is to connect the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River, facilitating trade and transportation between the interior U.S. and international markets.

Opened in 1825, the Erie Canal revolutionized trade by providing a direct water route between the Great Lakes and New York City, opening up vast markets for goods like grain, timber, and manufactured products. This connection significantly lowered transportation costs, boosting the economy of the region and the U.S. as a whole. While it also supports recreational boating today, its historical role as a key trade route remains vital to U.S. waterway infrastructure.