US rail traffic sees second double-digit increase of 2025

Weekly volume up for sixth straight week

U.S. rail traffic was up 11.2% for the week that ended on Saturday. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)
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Key Takeaways:

  • U.S. weekly rail traffic increased 11.2% compared to the same week in 2024, marking the second double-digit increase this year.
  • Year-to-date, U.S. rail traffic shows a 5% increase, with carload traffic up 0.7% and intermodal volume up 8.7%.
  • North American rail traffic (U.S., Canada, and Mexico) saw a 7% increase for the week, but year-to-date growth is at 3.3%, influenced by decreases in Mexico.
  • The increase is largely driven by a significant rise in intermodal units (containers and trailers), exceeding the growth in carloads.
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U.S. weekly rail traffic remained ahead of 2024 levels in the week that ended on Saturday, the sixth straight gain and just the second showing a double-digit increase.

According to the Association of American Railroads, volume for the week was 500,584 carloads and intermodal units, an 11.2% increase over the same week a year ago. That includes 226,790 carloads, up 8.5%, and 273,794 containers and trailers, a 13.6% increase.

(Chart: Association of American Railroads)

The only other week this year to see double-digit gains over 2024 levels was the week ending Jan. 18, when traffic jumped 25.9%.

Year to date, carload traffic is up 0.7%, and intermodal volume is up 8.7%. The total of 6,816,848 carloads and intermodal units represents a 5% increase over the first 14 weeks of 2024.

North American volume for the week, as reported by nine U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads, was 685,076 carloads and intermodal units, a 7% increase over the corresponding week in 2024. That includes 329,212 carloads, up 3.7%, and 335,865 intermodal units, up 10.3%.

North American volume through 14 weeks is 9,367,352 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.3% compared to the same period a year ago. That includes a 0.1% increase in Canada and an 8.2% drop in Mexico.

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US weekly rail volume shows big jump