U.S. rail freight volumes continue to climb, with the week ending June 20, 2026, posting a 7.1% year-over-year increase to 521,998 carloads and intermodal units, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR). This growth reinforces the positive trend seen throughout the first half of 2026, driven by strong intermodal demand and gains in key commodity categories despite headwinds in the housing and automotive sectors.
Weekly Rail Traffic Highlights
For the week ending June 20, carloads totaled 233,259, up 1.6% from the same week in 2025, the AAR reported. Intermodal volume reached 288,739 containers and trailers, a 12.1% gain year-over-year. The intermodal segment continues to outperform carload traffic, reflecting sustained consumer demand and shifts from truck to rail.
Commodity Performance
Among commodity groups, 7 of 10 carload categories saw improvements. Metallic ores and metals posted the largest gain at 10.3%, driven by steelmaking inputs. Forest products rose 9%, and grain increased 8.2%. Notably, lumber and plywood shipments gained despite a weak housing market: U.S. privately-owned housing starts in May stood at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.177 million, down 15.4% from April and 8.7% year-over-year, per Census data.
Declines were recorded in coal (-6%) and motor vehicles and parts (-1.2%), reflecting ongoing shifts in energy and automotive supply chains.
Year-to-Date Volume
Through the first 24 weeks of 2026, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 5,449,203 carloads (+3.2%) and 6,691,916 intermodal units (+3.0%). Combined total traffic reached 12,141,119 units, a 3.1% increase year-over-year, according to the AAR.
| Metric | Week Ending June 20, 2026 | Change vs. 2025 | YTD 2026 (24 weeks) | YTD Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carloads | 233,259 | +1.6% | 5,449,203 | +3.2% |
| Intermodal units | 288,739 | +12.1% | 6,691,916 | +3.0% |
| Combined | 521,998 | +7.1% | 12,141,119 | +3.1% |
The AAR noted that both domestic and international intermodal volumes have been growing steadily, supported by rising trucking rates and near-record peak-season imports through some maritime gateways.
North American Rail Network
On a North American basis (nine reporting U.S., Canadian, and Mexican railroads), the week ending June 20 saw 337,841 carloads (+0.9% year-over-year) and 376,727 intermodal units (+9.2%). Total combined traffic was 714,568 units, up 5.1% . For the first 24 weeks of 2026, North American volume reached 16,708,419 carloads and intermodal units, a 2.7% gain over the same period in 2025.
Implications for Shippers and Operators
For freight forwarders and logistics managers, the sustained rail growth signals continued capacity tightness in intermodal services, especially as trucking rates trend upward. The strong performance of metals and forest products indicates robust industrial demand, while grain gains point to healthy agricultural exports. Shippers should expect intermodal rates to remain elevated and plan for potential container availability constraints as peak season imports add pressure on rail networks. The decline in motor vehicle volumes may reflect ongoing supply chain adjustments in the automotive sector, a trend worth monitoring for parts and finished vehicle logistics.
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