Train vs. Truck Shipping: Weighing the Pros and Cons
What’s the Best Way to Send Your Freight?
Logistics experts often debate the merits of shipping freight by train vs. truck. Both methods have benefits and drawbacks. For example, it is hard to match the flexibility of a truck that can back directly up to your warehouse. At the same time, that truck may be waylaid by weather or traffic conditions while a train is able to power through the night.
The railroad connected the United States of America while it was still a young country. Storied rail lines such as the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, Chicago and Rock Island Railroad, and the Pennsylvania Railroad served as the backbone of expansion during the 1800s, culminating in the opening of Union Pacific’s Transcontinental Railroad on May 10, 1869.
However, following the invention of the automobile in 1886, America has continuously adapted itself to cars and trucks, most notably in the Interstate Highway System. The modern tractor trailer joined the fray in the 1920s and freight shipping would never be the same.
Trains and trucks have proven invaluable to domestic commerce and the numbers are truly astounding. In 2023, 28,000 locomotives are pulling 1.6 million rail cars along 140,000 miles of rail throughout the U.S. On top of that, there are an estimated 2 million semi trucks and 5.6 million trailers on U.S. roads.
Keeping all of this in mind, what is the best way to send your freight?
Cost and Efficiency
Often the most important factor in any business decision is cost, so let’s start there. If you are moving goods around town or within a small region, it is likely that shipping by truck will be both more cost effective and efficient.
When the distance between starting and end point grows, the scales tip towards train shipping. The difference is most notable for cross-country routes.
Don’t forget that if you ship by rail, you will likely need to plan for a truck to deliver your goods from the train depot to its final destination. This is known as “last mile” delivery.
Reliability and Flexibility
When it comes to reliability, both train and truck shipping have unique advantages. Trains, for instance, are less prone to traffic delays and can operate in virtually any weather conditions, making them a reliable choice for long-distance or cross-country shipments. Their ability to carry large volumes of goods at once also makes them a dependable choice for bulk shipping needs. On the other hand, trucks often boast door-to-door service, meaning goods can be transported directly from the warehouse to the customer’s doorstep without any intermediaries. This can significantly decrease the chance of shipment delays or mishandling.
When considering flexibility, trucking shipping often comes out on top. Trucks provide the option of changing delivery routes and schedules in real-time based on road conditions, traffic, or changes in the customer’s availability. This flexibility can be crucial for time-sensitive shipments or for businesses with rapidly evolving needs. Trains, while excellent for scheduled, repetitive, and large volume shipments, have less flexibility. Routes and schedules are largely fixed and cannot be easily changed.
Environmental Impact and Safety
One area where trains emerge indisputably above trucks is environmental impact. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, transportation accounts for 29% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Digging into this number further, medium and heavy duty vehicles represent 24% of transportation emissions while rail contributes 2%. That means that rail is just 0.58% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.
A parallel can be found in the general safety of trains compared to trucks. In 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported over 400,000 accidents involving a big truck. On average, there are 1,475 train accidents per year, mostly caused due to aging parts, such as in the Norfolk Southern accident earlier this year. Trains are less affected by nature and human error, making them a safer, more consistent mode of transport.
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