Rail Freight Cost from San Diego, CA to Manhattan, NY for Paper / Pulp

Paper / Pulp
Estimated Tariff
$23,865
per car (all-in)
Per Hundredweight
1193.3¢
cents per cwt
Rail Miles
3,042
routed via AMTK +15
Primary Carrier
AMTK
16-carrier interline

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

Route Map

Map of rail route from San Diego, CA to Manhattan, NY showing AMTK → BJRR → BNSF → CPRS → CSAO → CSXT → KCTL → LI → MTS → NJT → NS → NYNJ → RJCL → SDNR → SW → UP

Rail route · 3,042 mi · AMTK → BJRR → BNSF → CPRS → CSAO → CSXT → KCTL → LI → MTS → NJT → NS → NYNJ → RJCL → SDNR → SW → UP

About this lane

The San Diego, CA-Manhattan, NY rail corridor is primarily served by Amtrak (AMTK), facilitating the movement of paper and pulp products across a significant distance. This corridor is crucial for commercial trade, connecting major markets and industries along the way. Notably, the routing includes key interchange points with freight carriers, enhancing logistical efficiency and access to broader distribution networks.

Per-Leg Tariff Breakdown

Segment Carrier Miles Line-Haul Fuel Surcharge Total
Starting segment UP 1,320 $6,860 $924 $7,784
Short-line carrier BJRR (short-line) 129 $672 $91 $763
Short-line carrier SW (short-line) 51 $500 $36 $536
Short-line carrier MTS (short-line) 13 $500 $9 $509
Middle segment 1 BNSF 210 $1,200 $130 $1,330
Middle segment 2 CP 286 $1,484 $214 $1,699
Short-line carrier KCTL (short-line) 7 $500 $6 $506
Middle segment 3 NS 961 $4,992 $749 $5,741
Short-line carrier NJT (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 LI (short-line) 11 $500 $9 $509
Short-line carrier NYNJ (short-line) 5 $500 $4 $504
Ending segment CSXT 4 $1,200 $2 $1,202
Short-line carrier AMTK (short-line) 2 $500 $1 $501
Interchange fee (3 interchanges) $750
Estimated Tariff Total 3,042 $20,908 $2,207 $23,865

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 San Diego to Manhattan?

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 San Diego to Manhattan rail move?

Each Class I publishes a mileage-based fuel surcharge (FSC) tied to the EIA highway-diesel fuel index. AMTK 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 San Diego-Manhattan corridor?

At 3,042 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.