Rail Freight Cost from Los Angeles, CA to Miami, FL for Steel Coils / Plate / Bar

Steel Coils / Plate / Bar
Estimated Tariff
$16,494
per car (all-in)
Per Hundredweight
824.7¢
cents per cwt
Rail Miles
3,051
routed via CN +7
Primary Carrier
CN
8-carrier interline

FSC factors as of September 2026 · URCS Phase III + carrier-published mileage FSC

Route Map

Map of rail route from Los Angeles, CA to Miami, FL showing CN → CSXT → FEC → FGA → NOPB → NS → SFRC → UP

Rail route · 3,051 mi · CN → CSXT → FEC → FGA → NOPB → NS → SFRC → UP

About this lane

The Los Angeles, CA-Miami, FL rail corridor facilitates the transportation of steel coils, plates, and bars, primarily served by CN. This corridor is commercially significant due to its role in connecting major manufacturing hubs on the West Coast with key markets in the Southeast. Notably, the interchange at New Orleans allows for efficient routing and access to additional rail networks, enhancing service reliability and transit times for steel products.

Per-Leg Tariff Breakdown

Segment Carrier Miles Line-Haul Fuel Surcharge Total
Starting segment UP 1,954 $9,042 $1,309 $10,351
Middle segment 1 CSXT 1,081 $5,001 $454 $5,455
Ending segment FEC 16 $427 $11 $438
Interchange fee (1 interchange) — — — $250
Estimated Tariff Total 3,051 $14,470 $1,774 $16,494

Run this lane through our calculator

Tweak weight, car type, or year and see how the rate moves. Or talk to us about your real shipment — we coordinate carload and unit-train moves for steel coils / plate / bar and other bulk commodities.

Comparable Lanes

Other steel coils / plate / bar corridors near this route.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to ship steel coils / plate / bar by rail from Los Angeles to Miami?

Steel Wheel Logistics does not publish transit times for this corridor. Actual transit depends on car supply, interchange dwell, switching at origin and destination, and any required transload. When we set up a lane we obtain the serving railroad's current service plan and share it with you before the first load.

What does the fuel surcharge add on a Los Angeles to Miami rail move?

Each Class I publishes a mileage-based fuel surcharge (FSC) tied to the EIA highway-diesel fuel index. CN and any participating carriers each apply their own published cents-per-mile factor to the miles they handle. FSC totals on this lane re-derive monthly as fuel prices move; the figure shown is current as of the date stamped in the hero card above.

Does Steel Wheel Logistics handle steel coils / plate / bar moves?

Yes. We coordinate steel coils / plate / bar rail freight on single-line and interline routings across the U.S. Class I network, working directly with the carriers and any required short-line or transload partners. Contact us for a discussion of your specific shipment. The figures on this page are indicative estimates; every move is priced after lane and equipment review.

What car type is used for this kind of move?

Steel Coils / Plate / Bar typically moves in gondola equipment. Actual car selection depends on the specific product spec, packaging, loading and unloading conditions at origin and destination, and current car-supply on the chosen carrier. We help shippers source the right equipment as part of the lane setup.

Is rail more cost-effective than truck on the Los Angeles-Miami corridor?

At 3,051 rail miles, rail typically wins on bulk moves at this distance — rail's per-ton-mile cost compresses sharply above ~500 miles and even more sharply at unit-train volumes. Use our rail-vs-truck comparison tool to model specific volumes side-by-side, and remember to account for transload, the truck leg at each end, and demurrage on the rail side.

Indicative estimate only. Steel Wheel Logistics does not guarantee rates. Actual pricing varies by railroad, equipment availability, contract terms, fuel-surcharge revisions, and lane conditions on the day of move. Use this page as a planning ballpark and contact us for a discussion of your specific shipment.