Rail Freight Cost from Seattle, WA to Brooklyn, NY for Coal

Coal
Estimated Tariff
$11,191
per car (all-in)
Per Hundredweight
559.5¢
cents per cwt
Rail Miles
3,060
routed via BNSF +10
Primary Carrier
BNSF
11-carrier interline

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

Route Map

Map of rail route from Seattle, WA to Brooklyn, NY showing BNSF → CFE → CPRS → CSAO → CSXT → IHB → LI → MNNR → NJT → NS → NYNJ

Rail route · 3,060 mi · BNSF → CFE → CPRS → CSAO → CSXT → IHB → LI → MNNR → NJT → NS → NYNJ

About this lane

The Seattle, WA-Brooklyn, NY rail corridor for coal primarily operates under Amtrak (AMTK) as the main carrier. This corridor plays a crucial role in transporting coal from the Pacific Northwest to eastern markets, facilitating significant commercial activity. Notably, the route includes interchanges with major freight lines, allowing for efficient transfer and distribution of coal shipments across the country.

Per-Leg Tariff Breakdown

Segment Carrier Miles Line-Haul Fuel Surcharge Total
Starting segment BNSF 2,156 $6,341 $1,272 $7,613
Ending segment NS 904 $2,659 $669 $3,328
Interchange fee (1 interchange) — — — $250
Estimated Tariff Total 3,060 $9,000 $1,941 $11,191

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 coal and other bulk commodities.

Comparable Lanes

Other coal corridors near this route.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to ship coal by rail from Seattle to Brooklyn?

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 Seattle to Brooklyn rail move?

Each Class I publishes a mileage-based fuel surcharge (FSC) tied to the EIA highway-diesel fuel index. BNSF 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 coal moves?

Yes. We coordinate coal 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?

Coal typically moves in open-top 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 Seattle-Brooklyn corridor?

At 3,060 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.