U.S. railroads gain as high fuel costs pressure trucking

On Oct. 22, 2026, Reuters reported that U.S. railroads were gaining long-haul freight as high fuel costs pressured trucking. Diesel reached $6.53 per gallon in September, per AAA; Q3 domestic intermodal volume rose 13% at Union Pacific, 7% at CSX and 3% at Norfolk Southern. Higher fuel costs also raise railroads’ own expenses.