U.S. Rail Freight Remains Above 2024 Levels Despite Tariff Concerns
Weekly U.S. rail traffic continues to outperform 2024 levels, with both carload and intermodal volumes showing solid gains. According to the Association of American Railroads, for the week ending April 19, 2025, total rail traffic reached 496,053 carloads and intermodal units, a 4.5% increase from the same week in 2024. This includes 224,436 carloads—up 3.4%—and 271,617 containers and trailers—up 5.4%.
Over the first 16 weeks of 2025, total volume across U.S. railroads has risen by 5% year-over-year, totaling 7,804,809 carloads and intermodal units. This period saw a 1.1% increase in carloads and an 8.3% rise in intermodal units.
On a broader North American scale, nine railroads from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico reported a weekly total of 685,696 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.3% from the same week in 2024. The week included 329,345 carloads—down 0.4%—and 356,351 intermodal units, which increased by 2.9%.
Year-to-date, North American rail traffic stands at 10,737,028 carloads and intermodal units, a 3.2% increase from the first 16 weeks of 2024. While Canadian traffic remains steady with last year, Mexican rail volumes have declined by 10.1%, reflecting ongoing shifts in international trade flows.
Despite concerns about a potential slowdown in Chinese import traffic and international trade disruptions, U.S. and North American rail freight volumes continue to hold up well, suggesting resilience in freight movement amid global uncertainties.
