Rail Freight Cost from Philadelphia, PA to San Jose, CA for Paper / Pulp

Paper / Pulp
Estimated Tariff
$20,140
per car (all-in)
Per Hundredweight
1007.0¢
cents per cwt
Rail Miles
3,050
routed via AMTK +9
Primary Carrier
AMTK
10-carrier interline

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

Route Map

Map of rail route from Philadelphia, PA to San Jose, CA showing AMTK → BNSF → BRC → CSXT → IHB → NS → RJCL → SCIH → SEPA → UP

Rail route · 3,050 mi · AMTK → BNSF → BRC → CSXT → IHB → NS → RJCL → SCIH → SEPA → UP

About this lane

The Philadelphia, PA-San Jose, CA rail corridor primarily serves the paper and pulp industry, with Amtrak (AMTK) as the main carrier facilitating intermodal transport. This corridor is commercially significant due to its connections between major urban centers and manufacturing hubs, enabling efficient distribution of paper products. Notably, the corridor intersects with key freight routes, allowing for effective interchange with other rail carriers for enhanced logistical operations.

Per-Leg Tariff Breakdown

Segment Carrier Miles Line-Haul Fuel Surcharge Total
Starting segment NS 352 $1,825 $274 $2,099
Short-line carrier AMTK (short-line) 103 $533 $80 $613
Short-line carrier RJCL (short-line) 12 $500 $9 $509
Short-line carrier SEPA (short-line) 3 $500 $2 $502
Middle segment 1 CSXT 318 $1,648 $149 $1,798
Ending segment UP 2,223 $11,535 $1,556 $13,091
Short-line carrier IHB (short-line) 25 $500 $17 $517
Short-line carrier BRC (short-line) 16 $500 $11 $511
Interchange fee (2 interchanges) $500
Estimated Tariff Total 3,050 $17,541 $2,099 $20,140

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 Philadelphia to San Jose?

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 Philadelphia to San Jose 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 Philadelphia-San Jose corridor?

At 3,050 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.