Trucking Gained in Q1 as Supply Tightened, ATA Economist Says
Bob Costello warns headwinds remain despite first-quarter rate gains driven by capacity exits.
#Spot Rates
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Roadcheck Week Pushed Spot Rates Higher as Capacity Tightened
Annual inspection blitz sidelined trucks and lifted buy rates, adding pressure to an already tight freight market entering summer shipping season.
Spot Rates Hit Multiyear Highs: Dry Van $2.01, Reefer $2.36, Flatbed $2.70
All three equipment types posted year-over-year gains above 23% as weekly rates climbed across the board.
DOT Enforcement Tightens Capacity as Spot Rates Climb in Q1
First-quarter enforcement activity pulled carriers off the road, shrinking available capacity and lifting spot rates: a supply-driven recovery that changes the…
Spot and Contract Rates Edge Higher in Q1 as Capacity Tightens
Both spot and contract rates moved up during the first quarter while carriers focused on internal efficiency and operational improvements.
Bid Season Pricing Gains Signal Shift After Three-Quarter Downturn
Carriers report better pricing power in Q1 2026 contract negotiations as capacity exits and spot rates firm: the first sustained leverage shift since mid-2023.
Hormuz Oil Flows Down 6 Million Barrels a Day, Diesel Watch Begins
Strait of Hormuz crude and fuel flows fell nearly 30% in Q1, the Energy Information Administration reports. Small fleets face diesel price exposure if the drop…
Spot Rates Up 20%, But It's Tariff Panic, Not Recovery
National dry van spot rates are up more than 20% year over year as of mid-May, driven by importers front-loading inventory ahead of tariff escalation. The…
Spot Rates Jump 4¢ Dry Van, 10¢ Reefer as All Three Segments Climb
Dry van spot rates rose 4¢ last week to $2.00/mile, reefer climbed 10¢, and flatbed added 8¢: all three segments now running 25–38% above year-ago levels.
Diesel Hit Record Seasonal Levels Mid-April as War Costs Squeeze Margins
Box manufacturers struggle to pass transportation cost spikes downstream, a signal that freight buyers are pushing back on fuel surcharges even as diesel…
RXO Posts Q1 Turnaround as Carrier Exits Tighten Spot Market
The 3PL reported improved margins as capacity leaves the market, but demand remains flat: a supply-driven recovery that changes how fleets price spot loads.
Contract Rates Up 8% Since Fall as Capacity Stays Tight Through Mid-Year
Long-term contract rates climbed roughly 8% from last fall, with spot and contract pricing both rising as tender rejection rates stay elevated and shippers…