What does the ITS Logistics index show for drayage and intermodal markets?
The June index marks a deterioration from prior months across all three regions — Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf — moving each to elevated concern status. ITS Logistics commentary states that while drayage markets are not yet feeling the full squeeze, the setup for a July inflection is in place, with over-the-road ecosystem tension levels described as not seen since the COVID era.
| Metric | June 2026 Reading | Context |
|---|---|---|
| All US regions (Pacific, Atlantic, Gulf) | Elevated concern | Across port container and dray operations |
| SONAR National Truckload Index (NTI) | $3.83/mile (all-time high) | Recorded early June; expected to remain above historical averages through Q3 |
| Intermodal volumes, May YoY | +10% | As shippers shift from OTR to rail to reduce fuel cost exposure |
| Rail ramp congestion risk | Elevated | Increased intermodal shift expected to create ramp congestion and reduce driver turn time |
- ITS Logistics VP Paul Brashier: "It is not a question of if inland trucking container haulage rates increase, but when"
- Intermodal volumes up 10% year-over-year in May as shippers seek OTR cost relief
- The intermodal volume shift is expected to translate into ramp congestion and storage charge risk as ramp capacity is absorbed
Why is the SONAR NTI all-time high at $3.83/mile significant for drayage?
The National Truckload Index tracks dry van spot rates and serves as a directional leading indicator for drayage cost pressure. An all-time high reading at the start of the month, before peak season volumes have fully arrived, suggests the baseline from which July drayage rates will move is already elevated. ITS Logistics commentary projects the NTI remaining above historical averages through Q3.
How does the intermodal shift affect port drayage specifically?
ITS Logistics notes that shippers shifting from over-the-road trucking to intermodal rail to manage fuel costs will increase demand for rail driver capacity, with the East Region already showing elevated demand. The shift can reduce drayage move count at the port end but concentrates pressure at inland rail ramps — containers at ramps risk incurring storage charges if driver capacity at the ramp lags the inbound rail volume.
What Shippers Should Do
- If you are planning to shift cargo from OTR to intermodal in July to manage fuel costs, check rail ramp appointment availability and dwell time data for your target ramp before committing — the 10% intermodal volume increase is already pressuring ramp capacity.
- Build a buffer into drayage cost budgets for July: ITS Logistics commentary frames a price increase as a question of timing, not probability.
- For port drayage bookings, confirm driver availability with your drayage provider for the specific week rather than the month, given the elevated NTI baseline.
- Track SONAR NTI weekly alongside ANKPOST Pulse drayage data for your lane — a sustained NTI above $3.83 heading into July would confirm the ITS Logistics forecast trajectory.