While intermodal and truckload contract rates stayed generally steady last quarter from the same period in 2025, intermodal savings dipped slightly as the gap in long-haul pricing narrowed. The Intermodal Savings Index for Q2 of this year from the Journal of Commerce (JOC) shows contract intermodal savings at 24%, with spot savings at 17%, versus truckload. That puts contract rates below the JOC's 125 month average of 27-30%, but spot rates in line with its typical long-term range of 15.5 to 18.3%.
The narrowing of contract savings on those major long-haul routes indicates trucking rates are more competitive than usual as carriers attempt to keep market share during a dry spell in the industry that has stretched in some form or fashion about three years. Peak season surcharges could cut into intermodal savings even more if railroads decide to go that route.
The intermodal volume picture continued to look positive, as last quarter marked the seventh straight with year-over-year gains. Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) figures had volumes at 2.12 million containers on the domestic side, 2.6% above the same time in 2024. All told between domestic and international, volumes were 2.4% higher.
While that's all sounding relatively rosy, there are a couple of buts:
1. The gains year over year were narrower in Q2 than they were in Q1
2. Last year's third quarter was especially busy as worries about an East Coast port strike drove heavier than normal shipping activity
That busier period along with the uncertainty of trade policy this year, suggests that the seven quarter streak will end with the next reporting cycle.
On the service end, intermodal train speeds were even or better year over year, with the average coming in at 29.8 mph among the four U.S. class 1 railroads, gaining speed to over 30 mph over the final six weeks according to the U.S. Surface Transportation Board. That's after last year saw speeds remain below that 30 threshold for 32 consecutive weeks. Additionally, the average number of intermodal trains held per day was 7.5 last quarter, almost three times lower than the same period last year.
For more information and commentary on the intermodal market from April to June of 2025, subscribe to the Journal of Commerce to read the full report.
Each quarter, the Journal of Commerce (JOC) releases its proprietary Intermodal Savings Index, which combines real data from the intermodal and truckload marketplace with forecasts and more. We provide statistics used in this valuable look at the intermodal market as it relates to truckload options. Find some of our contributions in our weekly Intermodal Spot Rate Pricing Trendline Analysis.
Looking for help with intermodal shipping - or just about any other shipping or logistics need? Let us know, and we'll discuss how you can put us to work for your company. We also have a variety of useful information about intermodal, plus freight and logistics in general (as well as what we do at InTek) in our Freight Guides. Additionally, watch (and/or listen to) The Intermodal Logistics Podcast for more on the industry.