The Pros and Cons of Shipping by Rail vs. Road

by | Jan 3, 2022 | News | 0 comments

There are a variety of shipping methods you can use to move cargo. As such, it’s prudent to take a look at the pros and cons of shipping by rail vs. road—two of the most common methods for shipping goods—and figure out which might be best for you.

Shipping by Rail

Rail transport has been a standard shipping method since the train’s conception. Nowadays, this method for shipping goods is most useful for large countries and continents with long transit times. There’s a diverse range of goods you can ship by rail. Some of these goods include:

  • Vehicles
  • Livestock
  • Metals

But the advantages of this shipping method don’t stop there. In fact, there are a lot of other benefits to shipping your cargo via freight train.

Pros

First, shipping by rail is the greener option if you’re moving loads across long distances. This is because trains burn less fuel per ton than freight trucks. And because of their size, trains are also capable of carrying much larger shipments simultaneously. As a result, shipping by rail is typically quicker and cheaper over longer distances.

Cons

That said, shipping by rail comes with its drawbacks, too. To start, there are usually additional costs to ship a container from a railhead to its final destination. And there’s always the possibility of delays.

This is especially true in cross-border movements that require train operators to change. Also, trains are not economical across short distances, and you cannot move abnormal cargo, such as chemicals, in standard rail wagons.

Shipping by Road

On the other hand, transport by road is helpful for shipping goods that we use daily. Many everyday items travel this way, including:

  • Groceries
  • Fruits
  • Dry goods

Freight vehicles are useful for distributing and delivering retail products and other similar cargo.

Pros

Using road vehicles for shipping is advantageous for many different reasons. For example, a business can deliver goods quickly and according to a set schedule with freight trucks. Of course, this makes it easier for recipients to efficiently make plans for their shipments.

Plus, trucks are cost-effective, especially over shorter distances. And you can use them for long or short hauls and over-border movements. It’s also much easier to track cargo movement through GPS and satellite tracking with freight trucks.

Cons

That said, shipping by road can come with a downside. To illustrate, you will need to adhere to limitations like cargo size and weight to move goods across various states. This means you will need smaller shipments and more trips.

And if you’re planning to cross long distances, trucks may not be as cost-effective. Additionally, trucks move significantly slower than trains, and shipment delivery is vulnerable to weather and road conditions.

Takeaway

So, which option is best? It depends on what kind of goods you’re shipping, how far you’ll be shipping them, and the timeline for your shipment. In other words, the pros and cons of shipping by rail vs. road come down to the specific details of your shipment. Thus, you should assess these factors things before deciding whether to use a freight truck or train.

In any case, any shipping method you choose will require load securement products. Thus, if you’re in the market for some new equipment, give Logisticks a call. We’ll set you up with everything you need to ensure that all your shipments get to their destinations safely and intact.

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