Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Nov. 01, 2019
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC
Entity Central Index Key	0000934612
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		0
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes