Every small carrier says they’re “reliable.” Every one says they’re “family-owned.” And all of them promise they “treat customers like partners.” Those slogans look good on a website, but the truth is they don’t move the needle when you’re one of nearly 580,000 active U.S. carriers — and more than 91% of them run 10 […]
PMI just posted a 49.1 — and while that might not mean much to most, for small carriers, it’s a crystal ball into freight demand, margin pressure, and the moves you need to make now to stay profitable.
Every small carrier has been there — staring at a weak load board, wondering if hauling a $1.35-a-mile load is better than running empty. On paper it looks like “something is better than nothing.” But the real cost of cheap freight goes far beyond the numbers you see in the rate confirmation.
Trucking isn’t a flat line — it’s a rollercoaster of peaks, valleys, and regional swings driven by what people eat, buy, and build. If you don’t plan for freight seasons, they’ll plan for you — and usually the result is a thin wallet.
Every owner-operator faces that moment of truth: take the cheap freight in front of you, or burn diesel running empty to the next market. The wrong choice can eat your margin. The right one can save your week. Here’s how to know the difference.
Many small fleets don’t think about their next driver until the seat is already empty. By then it’s too late — you’re scrambling, trucks are parked, and revenue is bleeding. Building bench strength isn’t a luxury, it’s survival.
Consistently heavy freight doesn’t just risk a DOT ticket — it slowly eats away at your truck’s suspension, brakes, and cooling system until potentially one day you’re sidelined with a repair bill.
Your trailer doesn’t have to blow a tire or drop a landing gear to ruin your week — sometimes it’s as simple as a drip from the roof or a weak wall panel that lets in water. Those small oversights are what turn profitable freight into expensive claims and can cost you the shipper’s trust for good.
FreightWaves’ Mary O’Connell speaks to Jesse Buckingham, founder of Vooma, about how AI workflow tools can take on many of the tedious tasks of daily operation.
FreightWaves’ Thomas Wasson speaks to Justin Brevik, senior manager of fleet maintenance and service at Love’s Travel Stops, about the impressive capabilities of Love’s Fleet V.I.E.W.
Interim final rule immediately limits eligibility following multiple fatal crashes in 2025 and scrutiny from the trucking community.
OTR Solutions, a full-service freight factoring and transportation technology company, has announced the launch of its new fuel credit offering, the OTR Fuel Card. This offer provides both new and established carriers with reliable access to credit backed by their factoring relationship, not their credit score. The factoring integration ensures carriers can fuel today and […]
Triumph is raising the stakes in freight tech with the launch of its integrated Pricing and Performance Intelligence solution, a platform that blends rate prediction, carrier scorecarding, and capacity sourcing into a single tool for brokers. Built on the combined data of Greenscreens.ai and Isometric Technologies (ISO), the new system is designed to help brokers […]
Excerpt: The produce industry’s demographic shift toward Millennial consumers is creating new transportation opportunities for reefer carriers as the freight recession shows signs of improvement. With Millennials driving 68% of produce growth and demanding convenience-focused solutions, cold chain logistics faces challenges and opportunities in 2025.
The transportation industry finds itself at a pivotal moment where generative artificial intelligence (AI) holds immense promise for operational transformation, yet many logistics companies remain uncertain about how to effectively harness these emerging technologies. Rather than viewing AI as a wholesale replacement for existing infrastructure, the most successful organizations are discovering its true value lies […]
With the DOT floating new flexible Hours of Service (HOS) pilot programs, owner-operators could stand to earn more per mile — or lose ground fast if the changes don’t match their operations. Here’s what to look at.
Echo Global Logistics opens an office in Monterrey to meet rising U.S.-Mexico trade demand.
This year’s F3: Future of Freight Festival will bring back rapid-fire demos, high-tech exhibits, engaging discussions with thought-provoking speakers, market insights, fun networking experiences, live music and more, but this time totally reimagined to fully immerse you in a festival atmosphere with more venues, experiences and Chattanooga vibes. Join the greatest minds in the industry Oct. 21-22, 2025, for the largest festival in freight.
Accur8 is transforming the logistics landscape with a comprehensive suite that goes beyond traditional TMS philosophy.
Check out the full list of winners.
