AAR: U.S. Rail Traffic Rises 7.0% in Week Ending June 27, 2026

Published: July 2, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported continued strong growth in U.S. freight rail traffic for the week ending June 27, 2026.

Total U.S. rail traffic (carloads + intermodal units) reached 525,474, up 7.0% compared with the same week in 2025.

U.S. carloads: 232,408, up 3.3% year-over-year.
U.S. intermodal volume (containers and trailers): 293,066, up 10.1% year-over-year.

RJ Corman SD70M #2647 and #2645 are on the head end of an empty coal train at Greene Township, Pennsylvania on December 14, 2024. At the time of this photo the ex-NS units were new and the lead unit had not yet had lettering applied. Doug Kroll photo.

Nine of the ten major carload commodity groups tracked by the AAR posted year-over-year gains. Leading the increases were:

Metallic ores and metals: +19.8% (to 23,663 carloads)
Grain: +6.1% (to 22,289 carloads)
Farm products excluding grain, and food: +5.7% (to 18,062 carloads)

Other notable gains included petroleum and petroleum products (+4.0%), other commodities (+4.5%), and chemicals (+1.9%). Coal rose modestly (+0.3%), while nonmetallic minerals (+1.2%) and forest products (+0.5%) also increased.

The only decline was in motor vehicles and parts, which fell 4.9% to 16,470 carloads.

Full weekly U.S. carload breakdown (selected major groups):

U.S. Weekly Rail Carloads by Commodity

U.S. Weekly Rail Carloads by Commodity Group
Week Ending June 27, 2026
Commodity Group	Carloads	YoY Change
Coal	56,572	+0.3%
Chemicals	33,933	+1.9%
Nonmetallic Minerals	31,909	+1.2%
Metallic Ores and Metals	23,663	+19.8%
Grain	22,289	+6.1%
Farm Products excl. Grain & Food	18,062	+5.7%
Motor Vehicles and Parts	16,470	-4.9%
Petroleum & Petroleum Products	10,757	+4.0%
Other	10,263	+4.5%
Forest Products	8,490	+0.5%
Total U.S. Carloads	232,408	+3.3%

Source: Association of American Railroads (AAR) Weekly Rail Traffic Report – Week Ending June 27, 2026

Year-to-date (first 25 weeks of 2026):

Total U.S. carloads: 5,681,611 (+3.2%)
Total U.S. intermodal units: 6,984,982 (+3.3%)
Combined U.S. traffic: 12,666,593 (+3.3%)

Year-to-date (first 25 weeks of 2026):

Total U.S. carloads: 5,681,611 (+3.2%)
Total U.S. intermodal units: 6,984,982 (+3.3%)
Combined U.S. traffic: 12,666,593 (+3.3%)

Canadian railroads reported 92,850 carloads (up 4.0% for the week) and 73,175 intermodal units. Mexican railroads handled 14,284 carloads. The latest data continues a pattern of solid year-over-year growth in U.S. rail volumes seen throughout much of 2026, with intermodal traffic providing particularly strong momentum.

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AAR: U.S. Rail Traffic Rises 7.0% in Week Ending June 27, 2026

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