2026 STATE OF THE NORTH AMERICAN SUPPLY CHAIN
INTERMODAL’S EVOLVING DOMESTIC ROLE
Intermodal is also being reevaluated through a reliability lens. While cost remains a factor, intermodal is increasingly valued for its ability to provide consistency in longer-haul domestic lanes where over-the-road capacity is constrained.
When integrated intentionally alongside truckload and dedicated operations, intermodal becomes a strategic buffer—supporting network resilience rather than serving as a fallback option.
Less Slack Means More Intentional Planning
The disappearance of excess capacity has changed how shippers approach domestic execution. Stability, flexibility, and accountability now outweigh opportunistic savings. As tolerance for disruption declines, the domestic freight market is rewarding disciplined planning and integrated execution—setting the stage for how external pressures, particularly tariffs, are felt downstream.
Plan With Confidence With less margin for error, proactive planning matters more than ever. Get practical tools to evaluate risk, capacity, and execution priorities.
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