Being an owner-operator is not just about grinding—it’s about evolving. It’s about pushing past the predictable stall-out that hits most carriers somewhere between survival and sustainability. That moment when you’re running thousands of miles, grossing big numbers, but seeing almost none of it stick. That’s the plateau. And in 2025, it’s more punishing than ever. […]
Korea Ocean Business Corp. invests $287M in Georgia to enhance South Korean logistics in the U.S.
DoKaSch’s Opticooler containers are known for their high-performance temperature control
If you’ve been behind the wheel long enough, you’ve probably got your own DEF horror story. Maybe it was a sensor going out halfway up a mountain grade, forcing you into limp mode at 5 mph while traffic backed up behind you. Maybe it was a clogged DPF that threw you into a forced regen […]
(The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of FreightWaves or its affiliates.) Exposing the Risks Hidden in Plain Sight At The Playbook, we believe the road to reform begins with transparency. That’s why, in partnership with The Freight Fraud Task Force, we’re launching a series […]
Corrugated boxes, linerboard, medium, coated boxboard—this is the packaging that everything else rides in. When mills run hotter, converters buy more rolls, warehouses stack more cartons, and the truck market usually follows. When mills cool down, that heat fades out on your trailer a few weeks later. Cardboard is the heartbeat of goods demand. The […]
Leading policy and technology experts will deliver keynotes.
New survey data from Truckstop.com and Bloomberg Intelligence shows small fleet operators and brokers maintaining cautious optimism about freight market recovery despite challenging first-half conditions. While only 16% of carriers reported revenue growth year-over-year, most expect conditions to improve or stabilize heading into the second half of 2025.
Uber Freight appoints Rebecca Tinucci as CEO, succeeding Lior Ron.
If your entire week is shaped by whatever pops up on the load board that morning, you’re not running a plan—you’re reacting. That approach is what keeps carriers in the cycle of inconsistent weeks, poor reloads, and missed opportunities. The top-performing small fleets don’t operate like that. They plan based on zones, not just lanes. […]
In trucking, data is power. If you’re running loads without recording what they pay, what they cost you, and how they perform over time, you’re operating with a blindfold on. Brokers come to the table armed with historical lane data, fuel indexes, and national averages. If all you have is a rough memory of what […]
Growth doesn’t happen by accident—it happens by design. If you’re running a small trucking business, you already know what’s at stake. You can’t afford to waste time chasing goals you can’t define, or expanding before you’re ready. A growth map keeps you grounded. It breaks down your vision into quarterly targets, then weekly habits, so […]
Trucking isn’t just about keeping the wheels turning—it’s about keeping the business running. Fuel, insurance, repairs, tolls, deadhead miles, factoring costs, and even overlooked expenses like app subscriptions or parking all chip away at your bottom line. Most small fleet owners and owner-operators wear all the hats, so it’s easy to let the financial side […]
Let’s talk facts: Paperwork doesn’t make you money—but if you get it wrong, it will cost you money. A missing POD? Delayed payment. A lost rate con? No detention. Bad compliance files? Fines or shutdowns. And here’s the hard truth—most small fleets and owner-operators are bleeding cash because their documents are scattered across emails, glove […]
If your lanes fall apart every time the market shifts, you’re not building a business—you’re just surviving the week. The goal isn’t to chase rates. The goal is to create a network of freight that holds steady when everything else is in flux. This is how real businesses operate. No fluff. No hype. Just structure, […]
You don’t need ten apps, a TMS subscription, or another software pitch to get your trucking business in order. What you need is a single, well-built spreadsheet. One tool you control. One system that shows you where the money’s going, what’s working, and what’s not. This article gives small fleet owners a clear, tactical breakdown […]
Rate confirmations, PODs, and invoicing aren’t clerical work—they’re operational control points. When you mishandle one of these, the entire cash cycle stutters. You risk not only delayed payments but also strained broker relationships and gaps in load documentation that can affect future opportunities. Brokers are moving faster than ever in 2025. If they see you […]
Since June 25, more than 1,500 truck drivers have been put out of service for failing English-language proficiency tests during roadside inspections. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) says the vast majority worked for U.S.-based carriers. Some see this as a long-overdue safety measure. Others see it as a political stunt aimed at a […]
Combating fraud and making cold chain more accessible make up the tech roundup of the week.
Let’s get one thing straight. The fastest way to stay broke in this industry is to chase every load that pops up on the board. Small carriers aren’t failing because of lack of hustle. They’re failing because they’re running without direction. When you try to haul everything for everybody, you lose your edge—and your profits. […]
