U.S. rail carload volumes rose 4.0% year-on-year to 228,346 for the week ending May 30, 2026, per the Association of American Railroads (AAR). Intermodal volumes climbed 10.0% to 264,449 units. Grain, metallic ores and metals, and miscellaneous carloads posted gains, while coal, nonmetallic minerals, and petroleum products declined. Year-to-date through Week 21, carloads totaled 4,756,909 (+3.4% YoY) and intermodal units reached 5,820,002 (+1.8% YoY). The AAR data reflects continued resilience in North American freight rail despite volatility in commodity-specific demand.
United States rail carload and intermodal volumes, for the week ending May 30, saw annual gains, according to data issued this week by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).
Rail Carload Volume Trends
Rail carloads, at 228,346, increased 4.0% annually, trailing the weeks ending May 23 and May 16, at 230,831, and 230,497, respectively.
AAR reported that seven of the 10 carload commodity groups it tracks saw annual gains, including: grain, up 6,696 carloads, to 26,529; metallic ores and metals, up 3,971 carloads, to 24,329; and miscellaneous carloads, up 1,572 carloads, to 9,343. Commodity groups posting annual declines included: coal, down 5,394 carloads, to 54,722; nonmetallic minerals, down 737 carloads, to 29,826; and petroleum and petroleum products, down 365 carloads, to 10,256.
Intermodal Volume Trends
Weekly intermodal containers and trailers, at 264,449 units, increased 10.0% annually, trailing the weeks ending May 23 and May 16, at 292,743 units and 280,179 units, respectively.
Year-to-Date Performance
Through the first 21 weeks of 2026, AAR reported that U.S. rail carloads, at 4,756,909, are up 3.4% annually, and intermodal units, at 5,820,002, are up 1.8% annually.
Source: Logistics Management
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
