Rail Freight Cost from The Bronx, NY to Chicago, IL for Plastic Pellets

Plastic Pellets
Estimated Tariff
$9,085
per car (all-in)
Per Hundredweight
454.3¢
cents per cwt
Rail Miles
898
routed via AMTK +9
Primary Carrier
AMTK
10-carrier interline

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

Route Map

Map of rail route from The Bronx, NY to Chicago, IL showing AMTK → BNSF → CSAO → CSXT → LI → NJT → NS → NYNJ → RJCL → SCIH

Rail route · 898 mi · AMTK → BNSF → CSAO → CSXT → LI → NJT → NS → NYNJ → RJCL → SCIH

About this lane

The Bronx, NY-Chicago, IL rail corridor for plastic pellets is primarily served by Amtrak (AMTK), facilitating the transportation of these materials across a critical industrial route. This corridor plays a significant role in connecting major manufacturing hubs, enhancing supply chain efficiency. Notably, the interchange at Albany, NY, allows for seamless transfers to regional freight services, further optimizing the movement of goods within the Northeast and Midwest markets.

Per-Leg Tariff Breakdown

Segment Carrier Miles Line-Haul Fuel Surcharge Total
Starting segment CSXT 30 $427 $13 $440
Short-line carrier CSAO (short-line) 12 $103 $5 $108
Short-line carrier NYA (short-line) 11 $98 $5 $103
Short-line carrier RJCL (short-line) 12 $107 $9 $116
Ending segment NS 833 $7,452 $616 $8,068
Interchange fee (1 interchange) — — — $250
Estimated Tariff Total 898 $8,188 $647 $9,085

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 plastic pellets and other bulk commodities.

Comparable Lanes

Other plastic pellets corridors near this route.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to ship plastic pellets by rail from The Bronx to Chicago?

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 The Bronx to Chicago 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 plastic pellets moves?

Yes. We coordinate plastic pellets 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?

Plastic Pellets 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 The Bronx-Chicago corridor?

At 898 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.