by Jessica Ingram
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In the fourth quarter of 2025, spot intermodal freight savings reached record levels as rail-based rates remained significantly below truckload pricing, offering shippers notable cost advantages late in the year. This surge was largely driven by elevated trucking spot rates that made rail intermodal especially attractive in the spot market. Despite these strong savings, the broader freight environment—skewed by disruptive winter weather and uneven demand—led rail carriers and intermodal providers to temper expectations for rate increases in the near future.
Industry voices highlight that although shippers benefited from the pricing gap, carriers are reluctant to lean too heavily on higher contract rates given ongoing volatility in trucking markets and seasonal factors that cloud demand forecasts. As a result, even with compelling spot savings, many providers remain cautious about how aggressively they adjust pricing or capacity commitments heading into early 2026.
By Ari Ashe, Senior Editor, Intermodal Rail
Original article: Spot intermodal savings spiked in Q4, but providers remain cautious (Journal of Commerce)
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