A Closer Look at Rail Freight Volumes and Commodity Trends in North America for 2025

Rail Freight Volumes Dip Amid Shifting Commodity Patterns

Recent data shows a slight pullback in U.S. weekly rail freight traffic for the week ending September 6, 2025, dropping by 2.4% compared to the same period last year. This decline is visible across both carload freight and intermodal units, yet it sits against the backdrop of a generally positive year. Despite the weekly softness, the cumulative volume for the first 36 weeks of 2025 remains comfortably above last year’s pace, giving operators a bit of breathing room.

Dissecting the Numbers: Weekly and Year-to-Date Insights

Metric	Weekly Change (YoY)	Year-to-Date Change (YoY)
Total U.S. Rail Traffic (Carloads + Intermodal)	-2.4%	+3.3%
Carloads	-3.5%	+2.4%
Intermodal Units	-1.4%	+4.0%
North America Total (U.S., Canada, Mexico)	-0.7%	+2.6%

Commodity Groups: Winners and Losers on the Rails

Digging a little deeper, it’s clear that the freight landscape is far from uniform. Certain commodity groups are riding high, offsetting declines in others. Miscellaneous carloads surged by approximately 15.3%, reflecting possibly increased demand for specialized or less conventional goods transported by rail. Motor vehicles and parts also showed strength with a 7.1% increase, no doubt reflecting ongoing activity in automotive logistics and supply chain movements. Additionally, forest products saw a modest rise of 3.6%, likely bolstered by steady demand in construction and packaging.

Meanwhile, some staples faced headwinds. Rail shipments of chemicals fell by 8.8%, perhaps mirroring shifts in industrial production or supply chain rerouting. Similarly, coal volumes dipped by 4.4%, continuing a long-term pattern influenced by energy sector changes. Grain transportation experienced the sharpest drop, down 8%, which could be tied to seasonal factors or agricultural market fluctuations.

Key Commodity Volume Changes

• Miscellaneous Carloads: +15.3%
• Motor Vehicles and Parts: +7.1%
• Forest Products: +3.6%
• Chemicals: -8.8%
• Coal: -4.4%
• Grain: -8.0%

North American Rail Traffic: A Mixed Bag but Positive Year-to-Date

Looking beyond the U.S., the joint rail metrics for North America, including Canada and Mexico, show a similar pattern. For the specified week, total carload and intermodal traffic slipped 0.7%, with carloads down 2% but intermodal units inching up by 0.6%. Despite this slight weekly dip, overall volumes through 36 weeks are up by 2.6% versus 2024.

This sustained growth year-to-date suggests that while market conditions or seasonality might impact week-to-week numbers, the rail freight sector continues to be a vital artery for the continent’s cargo movement, handling a large share of bulk and containerized freight.

North American Weekly Rail Freight Overview

Type of Traffic	Weekly Volume	Year-over-Year Weekly Change
Carloads (U.S., Canada, Mexico)	312,974	-2.0%
Intermodal Units	333,374	+0.6%
Total Volume	646,348	-0.7%

What This Means for Logistics and Freight Transport

These rail freight trends have clear implications for the logistics landscape. The mixed weekly performance combined with solid year-to-date growth suggests a market that’s balancing seasonal adjustments, shifting demand, and evolving supply chains. The strong performance in motor vehicles, parts, and miscellaneous carloads highlights areas where specialized freight and automotive logistics remain robust — a key focus for freight forwarding and haulage firms handling bulky and high-value shipments.

On the flip side, the declines in chemical, coal, and grain shipments may indicate shifting industrial demands or alternative transport modes gaining ground in those sectors. Logistics providers might need to navigate these fluctuations carefully, potentially optimizing intermodal and last-mile delivery solutions to maintain efficient distribution networks.

The steady intermodal growth is particularly noteworthy since it underscores the importance of containerized freight and multimodal forwarding options in modern logistics operations. Efficient handling of containers, pallets, and parcels across rail hubs to trucks or ships will continue to be critical in meeting supply demands.

Summary of Rail Freight and Logistics Impact

• Year-to-date rail freight volume is growing despite occasional weekly dips, indicating overall market resilience.
• Strong gains in motor vehicles and miscellaneous carloads open doors for specialized freight logistics.
• Declines in traditional bulk commodities like coal and grain signal changing transport needs and market dynamics.
• Positive intermodal volume growth suggests growing reliance on multimodal freight solutions, critical for future logistics planning.

Choosing the Right Logistics Partner in a Dynamic Freight Market

There’s no replacement for personal experience when it comes to selecting freight and cargo transportation solutions. Industry reviews and data offer valuable insights, but navigating the ever-shifting rail freight currents requires flexible, reliable service providers who understand these nuances.

GetTransport.com stands out as a smart choice for those seeking affordable, global cargo transportation services. Whether you’re moving office equipment, home goods, vehicles, or bulky freight, the platform offers a wide range of options tailored to diverse needs. Its transparent pricing and convenient booking process empower customers to make informed decisions without the guesswork. This flexibility aligns perfectly with the varied commodity flows and fluctuating rail volumes that define today’s logistics environment.

Book your cargo transportation with GetTransport.com today and experience how simple and cost-effective managing your freight can be.

Looking Ahead: The Rail Freight Outlook and Logistics Considerations

While the slight dip in weekly rail traffic might not shake global logistics at its core, keeping an ear to the ground on such developments is crucial. Trends like increased intermodal use and shifts in commodity transport highlight the evolving nature of freight operations. As GetTransport.com monitors these changes closely, it ensures its users benefit from the latest market dynamics, enabling seamless freight deliveries.

In the grand scheme, maintaining agility and informed planning in freight forwarding, shipment dispatch, and haulage remains vital — whether transporting pallets, containers, or bulky cargo internationally or locally. By staying tuned to industry shifts and leveraging platforms like GetTransport.com, logistics planners can rest assured they’re in good hands.

Wrapping It Up

The 2025 rail freight snapshot reveals a freight sector that’s wrestling with uneven weekly volumes but thriving cumulatively, thanks to strong segments like motor vehicles and miscellaneous carloads. While commodities like coal and grain face challenges, intermodal volume growth signals a promising direction towards integrated, multimodal logistics approaches. These evolving patterns offer both challenges and opportunities for freight operators, carriers, and shippers to optimize their transport strategies.

In this landscape, leveraging the right logistics solutions that combine reliability, affordability, and global reach is key. GetTransport.com offers this powerful mix, simplifying the complexities of cargo shipping and making reliable freight transport accessible for a wide spectrum of cargo types and customer needs.