Rail Freight Cost from Manhattan, NY to Seattle, WA for Steel Coils / Plate / Bar

Steel Coils / Plate / Bar
Estimated Tariff
$23,607
per car (all-in)
Per Hundredweight
1180.3¢
cents per cwt
Rail Miles
3,072
routed via AMTK +17
Primary Carrier
AMTK
18-carrier interline

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

Route Map

Map of rail route from Manhattan, NY to Seattle, WA showing AMTK → BNSF → CN → CPRS → CPSH → CSAO → CSS → CSXT → MNCW → MNNR → NICD → NLR → NS → OTVR → UP → VIA → WSOR → XXXX

Rail route · 3,072 mi · AMTK → BNSF → CN → CPRS → CPSH → CSAO → CSS → CSXT → MNCW → MNNR → NICD → NLR → NS → OTVR → UP → VIA → WSOR → XXXX

About this lane

The Manhattan, NY-Seattle, WA rail corridor serves as a vital transportation route for steel coils, plates, and bars, primarily operated by Amtrak (AMTK). This corridor facilitates efficient movement of goods across the country, connecting key industrial centers. Notably, the interchange with BNSF Railway in Chicago enhances connectivity and expands market reach for steel products.

Per-Leg Tariff Breakdown

Segment Carrier Miles Line-Haul Fuel Surcharge Total
Starting segment CSXT 252 $1,200 $118 $1,318
Short-line carrier AMTK (short-line) 120 $554 $56 $610
Short-line carrier MNCW (short-line) 67 $500 $31 $531
Middle segment 1 CP 31 $1,200 $23 $1,223
Middle segment 2 CN 123 $1,200 $97 $1,297
Short-line carrier CPSH (short-line) 25 $500 $20 $520
Short-line carrier VIA (short-line) 2 $500 $2 $502
Middle segment 3 CP 46 $1,200 $35 $1,235
Middle segment 4 NS 225 $1,200 $176 $1,376
Short-line carrier NICD (short-line) 44 $500 $34 $534
Short-line carrier CSAO (short-line) 3 $500 $3 $503
Short-line carrier CSS (short-line) 1 $500 $1 $501
Middle segment 5 UP 359 $1,656 $251 $1,907
Short-line carrier WSOR (short-line) 42 $500 $30 $530
Ending segment BNSF 1,555 $7,177 $964 $8,141
Short-line carrier XXXX (short-line) 113 $520 $70 $590
Short-line carrier OTVR (short-line) 55 $500 $34 $534
Short-line carrier NLR (short-line) 8 $500 $5 $505
Interchange fee (5 interchanges) $1,250
Estimated Tariff Total 3,072 $20,406 $1,950 $23,607

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 Manhattan to Seattle?

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 Manhattan to Seattle 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 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 — 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?

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 Manhattan-Seattle corridor?

At 3,072 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.