Rail Freight Cost from Minneapolis, MN to New York City, NY for Grain

Grain (corn, wheat, soybeans)
Estimated Tariff
$9,881
per car (all-in)
Per Hundredweight
494.1¢
cents per cwt
Rail Miles
1,671
routed via AMTK +11
Primary Carrier
AMTK
12-carrier interline

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

Route Map

Map of rail route from Minneapolis, MN to New York City, NY showing AMTK → BNSF → BRC → CN → CPRS → CSAO → CSXT → IHB → LI → MNCW → NIRC → NS

Rail route · 1,671 mi · AMTK → BNSF → BRC → CN → CPRS → CSAO → CSXT → IHB → LI → MNCW → NIRC → NS

About this lane

The Minneapolis, MN-New York City, NY rail corridor primarily serves grain transportation, with Amtrak (AMTK) as the main carrier. This corridor is commercially significant due to its role in connecting major agricultural production areas in the Midwest with key markets in the Northeast. Notably, the route may involve interchange with freight carriers, facilitating efficient movement of grain products to various destinations.

Per-Leg Tariff Breakdown

Segment Carrier Miles Line-Haul Fuel Surcharge Total
Starting segment CP 1,657 $8,284 $1,160 $9,444
Ending segment NYA 14 $427 $10 $437
Estimated Tariff Total 1,671 $8,711 $1,170 $9,881

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 grain and other bulk commodities.

Comparable Lanes

Other grain corridors near this route.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to ship grain by rail from Minneapolis to New York City?

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 Minneapolis to New York City 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 grain moves?

Yes. We coordinate grain 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?

Grain typically moves in covered hopper 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 Minneapolis-New York City corridor?

At 1,671 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.