Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Truckload Linehaul Rates Hit Record High, Intermodal Continues Surge

A measure of truckload linehaul rates hit an all-time high last month, according to one latest measure, while a separate report showed another gain when it comes to intermodal rates.

Evan Lockridge
Evan LockridgeFormer Business Contributing Editor
November 21, 2017
Truckload Linehaul Rates Hit Record High, Intermodal Continues Surge

 

2 min to read


A measure of truckload linehaul rates hit an all-time high last month, according to one latest measure, while a separate report showed another gain when it comes to intermodal rates.

Truckload shipping costs, linehaul only, increased 5.5% in October compared to the same time a year earlier, according to the Cass Truckload Linehaul Index, which hit a reading of 132.5. This marked its highest level on record, which goes back to 2005.

Ad Loading...

Linehaul costs have not only been up over 2016 for the last seven months, but these increases have been growing larger.

“In just the last 120 days, our pricing forecast for 2017 has improved from -1% to 2%, to no change to 2%, to 2% to 4%, as the current strength being reported in spot rates by DAT Solutions is leading us to believe contract pricing rates should keep rates in positive territory through the end of the year,” said Donald Broughton of Broughton Capital Partners, who provides analysis of the numbers.

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 costs per mile rose 1.9% year-over-year in October, with the measure at 132.8, its highest level since April.

Compared to September, intermodal costs increased 2.9%, while October marked the thirteenth consecutive month of year-over-year increases.

The index established its most recent peak in March at 135.4 as diesel flirted with $2.60 a gallon, and has sequentially trended lower since, as diesel fell back toward $2.50 a gallon in July, according to Broughton. And now, he is predicting another rise in fuel costs, which could lead to even higher intermodal rates.

“We now expect it to exceed March’s peak by the end of the year,” he said. “Longer term, we continue to foresee oil trading in the $45 to $55 [per barrel] range and diesel in the $2.25 to $2.75 [per gallon] range throughout 2017, sans the refining interruption pressure produced by the recent hurricanes.”

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.

Ad Loading...

Data within both measures comes from actual freight invoices paid on behalf of clients of freight-payment processor Cass Information Services, which totals nearly $21 billion annually.

More Fleet Management

Geotab screen on AI concept background
Fleet ManagementJune 17, 2026

What Geotab's New AI Connector Means for Fleets

Fleets can now ask their usual AI assistants questions about maintenance, safety, fuel use, and vehicle performance, using their live Geotab data, and take action on the answers without leaving their preferred AI tool.

Read More →
Image of computer screen with BidBoardX interface

New C.H. Robinson Tool Opens Door to More Predictable Freight

BidBoardX lets carriers search, bid on, and secure committed freight opportunities through a single digital marketplace.

Read More →
Amazon electric cargo bike on New York City street
Fleet ManagementJune 15, 2026

New York City's Microhub Project is Delivering Results

Trucking, last-mile delivery companies, and environmental advocates like what they are seeing so far with New York's microhub program.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration of hourglass and trucks backed up to a dock
DriversJune 15, 2026

Why Truck Detention Keeps Costing Fleets Time and Money

A 2024 ATRI study found detention affects nearly 40% of truckload stops and costs the industry more than $15 billion annually. Despite the toll on drivers, fleets, and supply chains, the problem remains stubbornly persistent.

Read More →
Panel discussion
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJune 12, 2026

Time is Running Out to Apply for Exclusive HDT Event

Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange brings fleet managers and suppliers together for the deeper conversations that lead to ideas, partnerships, and solutions. Time is running out to apply for the September event.

Read More →
Empty trailer with worker loading a pallet of cargo
Fleet ManagementJune 10, 2026

Amazon Launches Less-Than-Truckload Freight Offering for All Businesses   

This launch is the latest addition to Amazon Supply Chain Services, a portfolio of supply chain capabilities from Amazon, including freight, distribution, fulfillment, and parcel shipping.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Stacks of intermodal containers at port with truck driving between them

Import Cargo Volume to See Year-Over-Year Gain Again in June, Then Remain Below 2025 Levels Into Fall

After July, the report predicts a weakening in import volume as consumer uncertainty remains high and the impact of increasing inflation takes its toll.

Read More →
Equity Interest Auction
SponsoredJune 8, 2026

AUCTION OF EQUITY INTEREST IN HEAVY HAUL TRUCKING COMPANY!!

Mark your calendar: June 30, 2026 (10:00 a.m. PDT). A 37.5% ownership interest in MagnaTrans, LLC, a California limited liability company doing business as Magna Transportation Group, will be sold in an in-person and online auction to the highest bidder or bidders under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. The Rancho Cucamonga-based heavy haul and over-dimensional trucking company operates across California, Oregon, and Arizona.

Read More →
Volvo OTA updates.

Volvo Trucks Adds Unattended Over-the-Air Software Update Capabilities

The latest evolution of Volvo’s over-the-air update technology allows software updates to run while trucks are parked, helping fleets keep vehicles current without disrupting operations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Podcast thumbnail illustration
Fleet ManagementJune 4, 2026

How Waste Connections is Using Data, Telematics, and AI

How do you manage and maintain more than 18,000 connected trucks? Data. Lots of it.

Read More →