Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Truckload Linehaul, Intermodal Rates at or Near Record Highs

Measures of truckload line haul rates and intermodal rates showed continued increases in January, according to newly released figures from one freight payment processor.

Evan Lockridge
Evan LockridgeFormer Business Contributing Editor
February 20, 2018
Truckload Linehaul, Intermodal Rates at or Near Record Highs

 

2 min to read


Measures of truckload line haul rates and intermodal rates showed continued increases in January, according to newly released figures from one freight payment processor.

The Cass Truckload Linehaul Index continued the acceleration established in November and December, when it moved up 6.3% and 6.2% respectively, by posting a 6.5% year-over-year gain last month. This latest reading of 133.5 is just shy of December’s 134.5 all-time high.

Ad Loading...

After signaling an industrial recession in the U.S. and being negative for 13 months in a row (from March 2016 through March 2017), the index has not only been positive now for ten months in a row, but the strength is continuing, according to Donald Broughton, analyst and commentator for the Cass Indexes.

"In just the last seven months, our pricing forecast has increased from -1% to 2%, to 6% to 8%, and now giving us reason to believe the risk to our estimate continues to be to the upside," he said. "The current strength being reported in spot rates tells us contract pricing rates should keep rates in positive territory well into 2018."

The Cass Truckload Linehaul Index measures market fluctuations in per-mile truckload pricing that isolates the linehaul component of full truckload costs from others, such as fuel and accessorials, providing a reflection of trends in baseline truckload prices.

Ad Loading...

Meantime, the Cass Intermodal Price Index showed total intermodal pricing rose 5% in January, with the measure at a record high of 141.4 plus a three-month moving average increase of 4.3%.

January marked the 16th consecutive month of increases, and pricing momentum continues to strengthen, according to Broughton, as higher diesel prices are creating demand and pricing power for domestic intermodal.

"Longer term, we continue to foresee oil trading in the $45 to $65 [per barrel] range and diesel in the $2.50 to $3.25 [per gallon] range throughout 2018,” he said, provided there are not refining interruptions or other catastrophic events.

The Cass Intermodal Price Index measures market fluctuations in per-mile U.S. domestic intermodal costs. It includes all costs associated with the move, such as linehaul, fuel and accessorials.

Data within both measures come from actual freight invoices paid on behalf of clients of freight-payment processor Cass Information Services.

More Fleet Management

Greg Feary, president and managing partner of transportation law firm Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary.
Fleet Managementby Jack RobertsMay 20, 2026

Behind the SCOTUS Broker Ruling Part 1

Transportation attorney Greg Feary breaks down the recent Supreme Court decision that brokers can be held liable for damages in truck accidents and what it means for the trucking industry going forward.

Read More →
ACT Research preliminary trailer orders April 2026.

ACT Research: Trailer Orders Continue Upward Surprise in April

Preliminary net trailer orders rose 3% from March and jumped 126% year over year, signaling stronger-than-expected demand despite typical seasonal softness.

Read More →
DAT Freight Volume April 2026

DAT: Fuel Surcharges Drive April Truckload Rate Gains as Freight Volumes Slip

Truckload spot and contract rates climbed in April. But DAT says higher fuel costs -- not stronger freight demand -- were behind most of the increase.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic with light bulbs, HDT Truck Fleet Innovators logo, and the word Nominations
Fleet ManagementMay 15, 2026

Deadline Extended for HDT Truck Fleet Innovators Nominations

Heavy Duty Trucking has extended the deadline for nominations for its Truck Fleet Innovators awards. The deadline has been extended to May 22.

Read More →
Illustration of U.S. Supreme Court building and a truck crash

Supreme Court Ruling Puts Freight Broker Vetting Practices in Spotlight

The unanimous SCOTUS ruling in the closely watched Montgomery v. Caribe case allows state negligence claims against freight brokers that hire unsafe motor carriers, raising new liability and vetting concerns among brokers.

Read More →
Mobile tablet showing Motus screen against highway background with Motus logo

FMCSA’s Motus System Is Coming. What Fleets Need to Know Now

FMCSA's long-awaited registration system promises a single portal — and tighter fraud controls. And there are steps you need to take by May 14.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Fleet Advantage Generative AI study.

Fleet Advantage: Fleets Embrace Generative AI, but Data Problems Limit Operational Gains

New Fleet Advantage research shows generative AI adoption has exploded among private fleets. But poor data integration and weak ROI tracking are preventing fleets from unlocking AI’s full operational and financial value.

Read More →
Phillips Connect extends Nussbaum trailer life.

How Phillips Connect Helped Nussbaum Transportation Double its Trailer Life

Seven years into deploying Phillips Connect’s smart trailer platform, Nussbaum Transportation has extended trailer life from 10 to 15 years.

Read More →
Lance Evans, Director of Safety at K&B Transportation.

Inside Modern Fleet Safety: AI, Cameras & Speed Control at K&B Transportation

How a former commercial vehicle enforcement officer turned director of safety at K&B Transportation is embracing real-world safety technology.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
TEN disaster prep.
Fleet ManagementMay 1, 2026

How Fleets Can Avoid Equipment Blind Spots in Disaster Response

When the unexpected happens, how you react to, and deal with operational blind spots is critical. Here’s how to keep you recovery on track, when nothing is normal.

Read More →