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April 2025 Intermodal Spot Rates: A Market-by-Market Breakdown
April brought upward momentum across all three major intermodal markets, with Chicago, Atlanta, and Los Angeles each seeing monthly rate increases.
Chicago posted the sharpest gain, jumping nearly 39% from March, while Atlanta continued its steady climb with a 10% increase and strong rolling average growth. Los Angeles rebounded from prior dips, rising over 5% month-over-month and showing the strongest year-over-year growth at 12.6%. Despite some softening in rolling averages, the latest data suggests a shift toward strengthening market conditions and more consistent demand across regions.
Chicago Rates Climb Nearly 39%, But Still Lag Behind Last Year
Chicago’s intermodal spot rates surged in April 2025, reaching $3.18 per mile, a 38.86% increase over March’s $2.29. While this marks a strong rebound from the previous month’s low, the 3-month rolling average dipped slightly by 0.39%, from $2.573 in March to $2.563 in April, signaling that broader pricing trends are still stabilizing. Year-over-year, rates remain 25.87% lower than April 2024’s $4.29, suggesting the market hasn’t fully recovered from last year’s elevated rate environment. Despite the monthly boost, Chicago continues to show longer-term softness.
Atlanta Rates Rise 10%, Rolling Average Continues Upward Trend
Atlanta’s intermodal spot rates increased to $4.06 per mile in April 2025, marking a 10.03% gain over March’s $3.69. The 3-month rolling average also rose by 3.86%, climbing from $3.787 in March to $3.933 in April, signaling sustained momentum in pricing. On a year-over-year basis, rates were up 3.57% from April 2024’s $3.92, showing steady growth in the region. With both monthly and long-term metrics trending upward, Atlanta continues to demonstrate pricing stability and solid demand
Los Angeles Rates Tick Up 5%, Year-Over-Year Growth Tops 12%
Los Angeles intermodal spot rates averaged $3.93 per mile in April 2025, a 5.36% increase from March’s $3.73. While the monthly rate climbed, the 3-month rolling average dipped by 2.69%, from $3.977 in March to $3.870 in April, reflecting some lingering softening from earlier in the quarter. On a year-over-year basis, LA saw strong growth, with rates up 12.61% from April 2024’s $3.49 per mile. With pricing rising steadily and demand holding firm, Los Angeles remains one of the most competitive markets in the network.
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