Dry Fertilizer (Urea, DAP, MAP) by Rail
Urea, DAP and MAP move from Gulf import terminals and domestic plants to inland distribution warehouses ahead of planting seasons.
| Railcar | Covered hopper (3,000–4,750 cu ft) |
| Typical net load | 100–110 tons per car |
| Bulk density | ~45–62 lb/cu ft |
| Loading constraint | Weighs out (weight-limited) |
| STCC | 28712 — look up related codes in the STCC Finder |
What it's used for
Row-crop nutrition — nitrogen (urea) and phosphate (DAP/MAP) applications.
How it moves
Strongly seasonal: heavy flows Jan–Apr and a fall run. Import tonnage rails north from New Orleans-area terminals; potash rails south from Saskatchewan.
Where it flows
Key origins and gateways for dry fertilizer (urea, dap, map) on the Commodity Flow Map:
- Gulf Coast Chemical Corridor — Gulf Coast Chemical Corridor, TX ()
- Saskatchewan Potash Mines — Saskatchewan Potash Mines, SK (CPKC)
Common questions
Can dry fertilizer (urea, dap, map) be shipped by rail?
Yes. Dry Fertilizer (Urea, DAP, MAP) moves regularly on the North American rail network in covered hoppers. Strongly seasonal: heavy flows Jan–Apr and a fall run.
How many tons of dry fertilizer (urea, dap, map) fit in a railcar?
A typical load is 100–110 net tons per car — the car reaches its weight limit well before its cubic capacity.
What railcar does dry fertilizer (urea, dap, map) move in?
Covered hopper (3,000–4,750 cu ft). Because the commodity is dense, smaller-cube cars are common — the weight limit governs.
What is the bulk density of dry fertilizer (urea, dap, map)?
Roughly 45–62 lb per cubic foot, depending on grade and condition.
Related tools
- Railcar Capacity Guide — loads and cubic capacities by car type
- Railcar Selector — match a commodity to the right equipment
- Rail vs Truck Calculator — where rail wins on your lane
- Transload Directory — 2,400+ transfer facilities
Shipping dry fertilizer (urea, dap, map) by rail?
Run your lane through the Rail Rate Quote tool for an indicative estimate (the commodity is pre-selected for you), compare modes with Rail vs Truck, or find transfer points in the Transload Directory. We do not guarantee rates — we will talk through your lane before quoting.
Figures on this page are typical industry ranges for reference — actual loads depend on the specific car, commodity grade and railroad rules. Rate estimates are indicative only; Steel Wheel Logistics does not issue binding quotes from this page.