# High Diesel Prices Drive More Goods to Rail

**Category:** Industry News  |  **Source:** Frachtportal Redaktion  |  **Published:** 2026-06-01  |  **Updated:** 2026-07-26

**Tags:** Intermodal, Schienengüterverkehr, Dieselpreise, LKW Kosten, kombinierter Verkehr, Bahnlogistik, NEAT, Gotthard, Spedition, Supply Chain, Logistik News, Transport News, Fracht News, Speditions News, Supply Chain News, Zoll News, Frachtportal News, Seefracht, LKW Transport, Schienentransport, Digitalisierung

> Rising diesel prices and tighter truck capacities are making intermodal transport more attractive again. This is also of interest to Swiss rail logistics.

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High diesel prices are once again driving movement in freight transport. When truck costs rise, shippers quickly look for alternatives. One of these is intermodal, which is the combination of rail and road.

According to Supply Chain Dive, rising diesel prices and a tighter truck market are making intermodal transport more attractive in North America. C.H. Robinson also reports that intermodal is becoming more cost-effective on more routes as truckload costs increase and diesel prices remain volatile.

This is not entirely new. Intermodal has always been interesting when large volumes need to be moved over longer distances. However, the pressure is new. Energy prices, geopolitical risks, stricter regulations, and a shortage of drivers make purely truck-based solutions more expensive and vulnerable.

The same applies to Europe. Here too, shippers are looking for more stable and predictable transport chains. Rail can help, especially on long distances, container traffic, hazardous goods, heavy cargo, and regular volumes.

For Switzerland, this topic is particularly interesting. With the NEAT, the Gotthard Base Tunnel, and a strong rail infrastructure, Switzerland actually has good conditions for combined transport. At the same time, practice shows: rail logistics only works when terminals, schedules, connections, and pre-carriage by truck are well coordinated.

The trend does not mean: everything suddenly goes onto the rail. But if diesel prices remain high and truck capacities become scarce, intermodal transport gains significance as an alternative channel.

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For shippers, this means: When it comes to longer distances, it’s not just about comparing truck prices. Intermodal can become more interesting again, especially if diesel remains expensive. 
For freight forwarders, it's a consulting topic. Those who can effectively combine rail, terminal, and truck services offer customers a real alternative. 
In short: Intermodal is not always faster. But when diesel prices rise, it can become economically very exciting again.

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Supply Chain Dive reports that high diesel prices are increasing pressure on truck costs and making intermodal more attractive.

According to Supply Chain Dive, Norfolk Southern sees opportunities for more intermodal business amid rising fuel costs.

Uber Freight and Supply Chain Dive describe intermodal as a cost-effective alternative when truckload costs rise.

C.H. Robinson reports increasing intermodal activity and more routes where intermodal becomes attractive in May 2026.

The exact figure of plus 2 USD per gallon should be used with caution. There are documented significant diesel price spikes, but the values vary depending on the source and time period.

For Switzerland, this topic is indirectly relevant due to NEAT, Gotthard, and combined transport providing good foundations.

## Related Entities

### Glossary

- [Goods](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/goods-2)
- [Terminal](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/terminal)
- [Transport chains](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/transport-chains)
- [Rail logistics](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/rail-logistics)
- [Hazardous Cargo](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/hazardous-cargo)
- [rail infrastructure](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/rail-infrastructure)

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