Rail Freight Cost from Oakland, CA to Queens, NY for Paper / Pulp

Paper / Pulp
Estimated Tariff
$21,707
per car (all-in)
Per Hundredweight
1085.4¢
cents per cwt
Rail Miles
3,108
routed via BNSF +11
Primary Carrier
BNSF
12-carrier interline

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

Route Map

Map of rail route from Oakland, CA to Queens, NY showing BNSF → BRC → CSAO → CSXT → IHB → LI → NJT → NS → NYNJ → RJCL → SCIH → UP

Rail route · 3,108 mi · BNSF → BRC → CSAO → CSXT → IHB → LI → NJT → NS → NYNJ → RJCL → SCIH → UP

About this lane

The Oakland, CA-Queens, NY rail corridor serves as a crucial route for the transport of paper and pulp products, primarily operated by BNSF Railway. This corridor facilitates efficient movement across the country, connecting major manufacturing hubs and distribution centers. A significant interchange occurs at Chicago, where BNSF connects with other rail networks, enhancing the corridor's commercial significance in the supply chain for the paper and pulp industry.

Per-Leg Tariff Breakdown

Segment Carrier Miles Line-Haul Fuel Surcharge Total
Starting segment UP 2,205 $11,353 $1,543 $12,897
Short-line carrier BRC (short-line) 16 $500 $11 $511
Short-line carrier IHB (short-line) 9 $500 $6 $506
Middle segment 1 CSXT 318 $1,635 $149 $1,785
Ending segment NS 499 $2,572 $390 $2,961
Short-line carrier NJT (short-line) 15 $500 $12 $512
Short-line carrier LI (short-line) 15 $500 $12 $512
Short-line carrier CSAO (short-line) 14 $500 $11 $511
Short-line carrier RJCL (short-line) 12 $500 $9 $509
Short-line carrier NYNJ (short-line) 5 $500 $4 $504
Interchange fee (2 interchanges) $500
Estimated Tariff Total 3,108 $19,060 $2,147 $21,707

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 paper / pulp and other bulk commodities.

Comparable Lanes

Other paper / pulp corridors near this route.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to ship paper / pulp by rail from Oakland to Queens?

Rail transit on this corridor typically falls in the 10-16 day range door-to-door, depending on car supply, interchange dwell, and any required transload. Steel Wheel Logistics does not publish guaranteed transits because every actual move depends on current network conditions and your specific origin and destination facilities.

What does the fuel surcharge add on a Oakland to Queens rail move?

Each Class I publishes a mileage-based fuel surcharge (FSC) tied to the EIA highway-diesel fuel index. BNSF 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 paper / pulp moves?

Yes. We coordinate paper / pulp 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 — we do not auto-issue binding quotes; every move is priced after lane and equipment review.

What car type is used for this kind of move?

Paper / Pulp typically moves in boxcar 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 Oakland-Queens corridor?

At 3,108 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, drayage, 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.