DID YOU KNOW? It would require nearly
13 million semi-tractor trailer loads to move the
sameweight of product carried into, out of
or through Iowa by rail
(322.9 million tons) in the year 2019.
FREIGHT AND FREIGHT CAPACITY
- 63.1 million tons of freight originated in Iowa and 29.2 million tons of freight terminated or ended its rail journey in the state. (2022)
- Railroads are critically important to Iowa’s agricultural industry. Farm, food, chemicals and ethanol products account for 86 percent by weight of the rail shipments that originate in Iowa. (2022)
- Coal, farm products, chemicals and food products make up 80 percent by weight of the rail shipments terminating in Iowa. (2022)
- Nearly 282 million tons of freight traveled through the state to other out-of-state destinations or within the state. (2022)
- Since 1985, the tons of rail freight originating, terminating or traveling through Iowa has more than doubled. (2022)
- Iowa railroads move goods in 110-ton cars and in trains that are often 100 or more cars long. One covered hopper car is capable of hauling 4,000 bushels of grain, which is equivalent to more than four semi tractor-trailers.
- A 108 car train is approximately 1.3 miles long. To carry an equivalent amount of freight on the highway would require a bumper to bumper caravan of semi/tractor trailers nearly 7 miles long.
- It would require nearly 12 million semi-tractor trailer loads to move the same weight of product carried into, out of or through Iowa by rail (311.3 million tons) in the year 2022.
- Iowa's rail system moves more freight over fewer miles of track. Between 1985 and 2020, net ton-miles have more than doubled while rail-miles have fallen by 917 miles.