In 2022, motorized vehicles were the top commodity shipped by rail in terms of value at $125.6 billion—nearly three times higher than the nearest category—according to data gathered by the Department of Transportation and presented by the US Department of Energy (DOE).

Value of Commodities Moved By Rail, 2022 Data source: US Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics and Federal Highway Administration

Natural gas and other fossil products were the next highest category, followed by plastics/rubber, with each category accounting for more than $40 billion.

Gasoline, another transportation-related commodity, was the tenth-highest commodity moved by rail in terms of value, totaling $16.4 billion.