Intermodal Savings Surge: Up to 49% ROI for Shippers

Intermodal freight is delivering significant savings in today's volatile market, according to data from FreightWaves SONAR. As truckload spot and contract rates stabilize, shifting to intermodal options provides a crucial cost advantage, particularly on key lanes. The gap between rising truckload rates and relatively flat intermodal pricing has widened, contributing to the surge in intermodal savings.

On the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Atlanta lane—a top savings lane—the van spot truckload rates have increased by approximately 42%, van contract rates by about 26%, while intermodal rates have risen by only 16%. This has led to a compelling case for mode conversion. East Coast corridors, especially those out of Atlanta and Harrisburg, are leading the savings rankings, with various lanes showing upward trends in the intermodal savings index over the past three months.

Van de Kamp emphasized the importance of considering mode conversion to take advantage of these savings, particularly in backhaul lanes. The broader market context further supports intermodal's value proposition, with tender rejections declining and spot rates leveling off, while contract truckload rates continue to rise. Intermodal volumes are also on the rise, and while the market will monitor whether increased adoption puts upward pressure on intermodal contract rates, the current merger environment may delay any rate increases.

Shippers, brokers, and carriers should closely watch how the narrowing spot-to-contract gap and sustained intermodal savings window shape freight mix decisions heading into peak season.