Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Nov. 09, 2020
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-11535
Entity Registrant Name	BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC
Entity Incorporation, State Country Name	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	27-1754839
Entity Address, Address Line One	2650 Lou Menk Drive
Entity Address, City or Town	Fort Worth
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	76131
City Area Code	800
Local Phone Number	795-2673
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Central Index Key	0000934612
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		0