Intermodal
U.S. intermodal volume rises 7.4% in the latest reported week
· Source: Association of American Railroads
The Association of American Railroads reported 299,001 U.S. intermodal containers and trailers for the week ending October 3, up 7.4% from the comparable 2025 week. Total U.S. rail traffic increased 5.1%, offering a useful demand signal for drayage, rail ramps and domestic container networks.
Summary and practical context by RoadHouse Recruiting · Reviewed
Intermodal led the weekly gain
AAR counted 299,001 U.S. intermodal containers and trailers in the week ending October 3, 2026, a 7.4% increase from the same week in 2025. U.S. carloads totaled 230,711, up 2.4%, bringing combined weekly traffic to 529,712 units, up 5.1%.
The year-to-date trend also remains positive
For the first 39 weeks of 2026, AAR reported U.S. intermodal volume up 4.2% year over year and carloads up 2.7%. The figures measure rail movements; they do not establish truckload pricing or guarantee freight at a particular ramp.
What logistics operators should watch
RoadHouse perspective: intermodal growth can support drayage and transload activity, but usable opportunity depends on the origin-destination pair, ramp dwell, appointment availability, chassis supply and the cost of the first and final mile. Compare those local conditions with the national trend before adding capacity.
Understanding the update
AAR's weekly traffic release is a historical volume report, not a forecast and not a measure of trucking rates.
What it means for drivers and carriers
Use the stronger intermodal reading as a demand signal, then confirm ramp-level volume, dwell time and drayage economics before committing equipment.
Questions to consider
- Which ramps and lanes are producing the volume growth?
- Are terminal dwell and appointment conditions improving?
- Does the first-and-final-mile work remain profitable after waiting time?
Read the original reporting
This page provides an original summary and practical commentary. The linked source contains the full reporting. Older stories reflect information available on their published dates.
Read the source at Association of American Railroads ↗ (opens in a new tab)