Summer Road Trips Start on Rail

Jun 30, 2025

Overhead shot of auto rack consist leaving the Port of Charleston, Ravenel bridge in distance.

Autorack consist train leaving the Port of Charleston.

This summer, more Americans are choosing open roads over airport lines. But before the playlists start and the miles roll by, one mode of transportation is working hard behind the scenes to make it all happen: freight rail.

From the pavement under your tires to the snacks in your passenger seat, Team NS helps fuel the great American road trip—one railcar at a time.

Here’s a look at what we’ve hauled over the past year to help power your
summer adventures:

THE OPEN ROAD

You can’t road trip without, well, roads. NS moved enough aggregates— like gravel, sand, and crushed stone—to build over 460 lane miles of highway. That’s real infrastructure, delivered by rail.

THE RIDE

Hopping in the car, truck, or electric vehicle? We help move them all. From finished vehicles to the parts that build them, NS transported over 2.9 million cars, SUVs, trucks, and EVs, plus 1.2 million tons of auto parts.

Norfolk Southern Chicago Service Hub

NS moved over 41 million tires. That’s enough to outfit 10+ million vehicles—or provide spares for half the cars on the road this Fourth of July.

When it comes to keeping the auto industry rolling, NS is built for the long haul.

THE ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALS

No road trip is complete without snacks—like 2,500+ tons of potato chips and 182 million cans of soft drinks. That’s a lot of pit stops powered by freight rail!

Whatever your adventure looks like, we also haul the gear packed in the trunk, including:

Over 1,700 tons of coolers
Nearly 200 tons of tent stoves
Almost 30 million tons of athletic and outdoor goods
53 tons of fishing equipment
First-aid and road safety kits
Electronics like phones, tablets, and portable speakers
Beach chairs and materials like polyester, spandex, and nylon for swimsuits and beachwear

Summer travel starts on rail. Norfolk Southern safely delivers what drives America — whether it’s to the beach, backyard BBQs, mountain getaways, or anywhere in between.

SEE MORE: How Norfolk Southern Powers Your Summer BBQ