Rail Freight Cost from Newark, NJ to Kansas City, MO for Steel Coils / Plate / Bar

Steel Coils / Plate / Bar
Estimated Tariff
$10,142
per car (all-in)
Per Hundredweight
507.1¢
cents per cwt
Rail Miles
1,307
routed via CPRS +5
Primary Carrier
CPRS
6-carrier interline

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

Route Map

Map of rail route from Newark, NJ to Kansas City, MO showing CPRS → CSAO → CSXT → KCTL → NJT → NS

Rail route · 1,307 mi · CPRS → CSAO → CSXT → KCTL → NJT → NS

About this lane

The Newark, NJ-Kansas City, MO rail corridor facilitates the efficient transport of steel coils, plates, and bars, primarily serviced by Canadian Pacific Railway System (CPRS). This corridor plays a critical role in connecting key industrial regions, enhancing supply chain logistics for steel manufacturers and consumers. Notably, the corridor features interchanges with major rail lines, optimizing routing options for freight movement across the eastern and central United States.

Newark is a vessel import gateway: Steel articles and pipe imports through the port totaled $1,461 million year to date through July 2026 (U.S. Census Bureau).

Per-Leg Tariff Breakdown

Segment Carrier Miles Line-Haul Fuel Surcharge Total
Starting segment NS 1,015 $6,922 $762 $7,684
Ending segment CP 291 $1,986 $221 $2,208
Interchange fee (1 interchange) — — — $250
Estimated Tariff Total 1,307 $8,909 $983 $10,142

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 Newark to Kansas 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 Newark to Kansas City rail move?

Each Class I publishes a mileage-based fuel surcharge (FSC) tied to the EIA highway-diesel fuel index. CPRS 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 Newark-Kansas City corridor?

At 1,307 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.