AAR Reports 6.6% Increase in US Freight Rail Traffic

WASHINGTON, U.S. – The Association of American Railroads reported that U.S. rail freight volume reached 526,283 total units for the week ending November 7, 2026, reflecting a 6.6% increase over the corresponding week in 2025. Intermodal shipments expanded 11% to 298,369 containers and trailers, while traditional carload traffic rose 1.3% to 227,914 units. Cross-border volume demonstrated parallel momentum, led by a 28.5% rise in Mexican intermodal traffic and a 5.6% increase on Canadian lines.

What Is the Full Scope of This Development?

North American railroads registered combined volume gains across intermodal and multiple industrial carload sectors during early November 2026. U.S. traffic was bolstered by automotive shipments rising 10.4% to 15,283 carloads, forest products increasing 10.1% to 8,401 carloads, and metallic ores and metals advancing 6.4% to 20,274 carloads. These gains offset commodity-specific declines in bulk traffic, where coal fell 1.2% to 56,997 carloads, grain dipped 2.4% to 23,708 carloads, and nonmetallic minerals decreased 1.7% to 32,376 carloads. Canadian railroads logged 95,669 carloads (up 4.3%) alongside 73,148 intermodal units (up 5.6%), while Mexican carriers handled 12,043 carloads (up 20.3%) and 14,416 intermodal units (up 28.5%). Cumulative year-to-date U.S. traffic across the first 44 weeks reached 22,641,547 units, an increase of 3.9% relative to 2025 (Source: Association of American Railroads, 2026).

Key Development Data

How Does This Compare to Industry Trends?

The 6.6% weekly volume expansion outpaces the broader projected compound annual growth rate of the global rail freight sector, which is forecast to grow at 4.65% annually through 2035 (Source: SNS Insider, 2025). The global rail freight market, valued at USD 370.0 billion in 2025, is projected to reach USD 388.5 billion in 2026, with full carload services generating USD 203.8 billion and intermodal traffic accounting for USD 120 billion worldwide (Source: Future Market Insights, 2025). The U.S. performance reflects enduring operational productivity advantages, as contract linehaul rail freight costs decreased over recent cycles while truck spot linehaul rates remained constrained below non-fuel operating costs between 2023 and 2025 (Source: FreightWaves, 2025). Independent verification of contradictory weekly reporting dates and varying unit counts from secondary trade trackers was not available at time of publication.

Editor’s Analysis

Intermodal traffic now serves as the primary growth engine for North American rail carriers, making up 56.7% of total weekly U.S. volume as bulk commodity demand softens. Sustained double-digit expansion in Mexican cross-border movements highlights accelerating nearshoring activity and automotive supply chain integration across the USMCA trade corridor. Because full carload services generate over 55% of global rail freight revenue, carriers must stabilize agricultural and mineral loadings to maintain long-term top-line margin performance (Source: Future Market Insights, 2025).

FAQ

Q: What drove the increase in U.S. rail freight traffic in November 2026?
A: Growth was led by an 11% increase in intermodal container traffic to 298,369 units, alongside gains in automotive and forest product shipments. Traditional bulk commodities, including coal and grain, recorded single-digit declines during the same period.

Q: How much rail freight volume have U.S. railroads moved year to date?
A: U.S. railroads handled 22,641,547 total units through the first 44 weeks of 2026, representing a 3.9% increase over 2025. That volume comprised 10,071,273 carloads and 12,570,274 intermodal containers and trailers.

Q: How did Canadian and Mexican freight networks perform during the same week?
A: Mexican railroads posted significant gains, with carloads rising 20.3% to 12,043 and intermodal shipments jumping 28.5% to 14,416 units. Canadian carriers hauled 95,669 carloads, up 4.3%, and 73,148 intermodal units, an increase of 5.6%.