According to the Association of American Railroads, the rail system in the United States continues to perform at a steady increase compared to this time last year in 2024. It recorded its third consecutive week at a 5% increase. Total rail traffic through March 15, 2025, was 503,473 loads and intermodal units. This is a 6.2 percent share over the same time in 2024. The breakdown includes 226,027 loads (up by 3.1%) and 277,446 intermodal units (up by 8.8%).
Year-to-Date Performance
In the first few weeks of 2025, rail traffic totaled 5,306,497 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 4.1 percent from last year’s time frame. Carloads dropped 1.1 percent, but intermodal transportation grew 8.4 percent.
North American Rail Traffic Overview
August 22nd, 2024, rail traffic in the broader North American rail network, covering the United States, Canada, and Mexico as a whole, totaled 696,160 carloads and intermodal units, marking an increase of 4.1% over the corresponding week in 2024. So far in 2025, the cumulative figure stands at 7,270,749 carloads and intermodal units, representing a 2.5% increase compared to last year.
As the rail traffic continues to increase, businesses are resorting to a competitive freight shipping quote with 3PL companies to maximize supply chain capacities.
Notable Highlights
- Coal shipment changes are reflected at 10.7% in positive to negative terms, while a decrease was noted under motor vehicles and parts at 0.9%.
- Petroleum and petroleum products witnessed a decline of 3.5%.
- This has been marked with the highest growth among such types of units while comparing intermodal at 8.8% from last year.
Apart from that, it is the primary demand bulk freight transport from agriculture and construction that has driven rail cargo volumes. Rail networks thus continue to serve as a major component in the supply chain with respect to moving large quantities of goods around the country.
Source: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/weekly-us-rail-traffic-remains-ahead-of-2024-levels
