Tariffs Are Rewriting US Freight Routes and These Stocks Are In The Middle

Union Pacific Corporation

Union Pacific Corporation

UNP

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With new US tariffs of 10% to 12.5% now touching almost all imports from 60 major trading partners, transportation and logistics stocks sit close to the action on costs, pricing, and freight flows. Higher import costs can reshape how goods move around the country, affecting volumes on trucks, rails, and in warehouses. This article focuses on three US Transportation and Logistics Stocks that are directly exposed to the tariff news, examining how their business models may be positioned and where the pressure points could sit for investors watching this part of the market.

Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL)

Overview: Old Dominion Freight Line is a US less than truckload carrier that moves palletized freight across regional, inter regional and national routes, while also offering expedited shipping, container drayage, brokerage and supply chain consulting to manufacturers and retailers across North America.

Operations: Old Dominion Freight Line generates about US$5.5b in revenue, entirely from its core regional, inter regional and national LTL services segment.

Market Cap: US$48.4b

Investors watching tariff sensitive US Transportation and Logistics Stocks may find Old Dominion Freight Line worth a closer look because it sits at the heart of domestic freight flows, with a focus on cost control, high quality earnings and disciplined yield management. The company is investing in its network and equipment while keeping a close eye on inflation in items like tractors and insurance. These factors can matter more as Section 301 tariffs lift input costs for customers and carriers. At the same time, risks such as softer LTL volumes, a high P/E multiple and reliance on external funding mean the story is not risk free, especially if freight recovery or reshoring trends underdeliver.

Old Dominion Freight Line’s focus on cost control and high quality earnings in a tariff heavy world raises a sharper question: what does the 1 key reward and 1 important warning sign really say about where this story could surprise next

NasdaqGS:ODFL P/E Ratio as at Jul 2026
NasdaqGS:ODFL P/E Ratio as at Jul 2026

J.B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT)

Overview: J.B. Hunt Transport Services is a US based transportation and logistics company that helps retailers and manufacturers move goods using intermodal rail and truck combinations, dedicated fleets, freight brokerage, final mile home delivery, and traditional truckload services.

Operations: J.B. Hunt generates about US$6.3b from Intermodal (JBI), US$3.5b from Dedicated Contract Services (excluding Final Mile), US$1.3b from Integrated Capacity Solutions, US$0.8b from Final Mile Services, and US$0.8b from Truckload, with small intersegment eliminations and all revenue coming from the United States on total sales of roughly US$12.7b.

Market Cap: US$27.4b

J.B. Hunt Transport Services sits at the center of US freight flows just as new tariffs raise import costs and push shippers to rethink how and where they move goods. Record intermodal volumes, improving margins and a 5.3% net profit margin give the company some momentum, while its broad mix of intermodal, dedicated and brokerage services positions it to benefit if customers shift freight from trucks to rail to control costs. At the same time, a high P/E multiple, funding that relies entirely on external borrowings, and significant insider selling mean investors need to weigh execution and balance sheet risk carefully. The key question is whether J.B. Hunt’s technology investments and cost focus can stay ahead of tariff driven supply chain changes long enough to justify that premium.

J.B. Hunt’s mix of record intermodal volumes and a premium P/E raises a bigger question about what the current price is really baking in, and the 3 key rewards and 1 important warning sign could reveal the twist investors are missing

NasdaqGS:JBHT P/E Ratio as at Jul 2026
NasdaqGS:JBHT P/E Ratio as at Jul 2026

Union Pacific (UNP)

Overview: Union Pacific is a US freight railroad that hauls bulk commodities, industrial products, and finished goods, including grain, coal, chemicals, construction materials, autos, and intermodal containers, connecting producers, processors, and consumers across its national rail network.

Market Cap: US$173.7b

Union Pacific sits in a sweet spot for the new tariff regime, as higher import costs and shifting trade routes can push more freight onto its US rail network, particularly as customers look to routes tied to Mexico, Canada, and Southeast Asia rather than China. The company combines high profitability, a 1.81% dividend yield, and strong pricing power with clear risks around elevated debt, reliance on external funding, and tariff sensitive intermodal volumes. With record high core pricing, new infrastructure aimed at high growth areas such as renewable fuels and autos, and fresh merger and cross border rail agreements that could reshape North American freight flows, the key question for investors is how much of this tariff driven opportunity is already reflected in Union Pacific’s current valuation and earnings expectations.

Union Pacific’s pricing power and tariff exposed network could be masking an underappreciated twist for long term investors, and the analysis report for Union Pacific may surface one risk and one upside that change how you see this railroad

NYSE:UNP P/E Ratio as at Jul 2026
NYSE:UNP P/E Ratio as at Jul 2026

The three US Transportation and Logistics Stocks in this article are only a starting point, and the full US Transportation and Logistics Stocks screener surfaces 14 more companies with equally compelling tariff exposed freight and logistics stories. Using Simply Wall St, you can quickly identify and analyze the specific catalysts, balance sheet traits, and earnings narratives that matter most so you can focus on high conviction transportation and logistics ideas in one place.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.