Spot rates hit $3.55 a mile yesterday — a clear signal that capacity is not flowing in to relieve the tightness we saw during road check week. And we’re heading into Memorial Day, which historically creates a surge as shippers push product out ahead of the holiday and carriers take time off with their families. […]
U.S. freight railroads delivered one of their strongest performances in years during March 2026, signaling that the goods-producing economy is regaining meaningful momentum across multiple sectors. According to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) latest Rail Industry Overview, total U.S. rail carloads averaged 230,401 per week in March — the strongest March result since 2019 […]
Spot rates rose 23.3% and contract rates 5% from March 2025 to February 2026 even as volumes fell sharply. The U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index shows the contract premium compressed to $0.11 per mile.
The freight market momentum is building at a rapid clip. National dry van spot rates — tracked via the SONAR National Truckload Index (NTI.USA), the 7-day moving average of booked rates including fuel — have broken out to a new cycle high of $2.89 per mile. This represents the strongest level since 2022 and confirms […]
The U.S. truckload spot market just hit a new cycle high at $2.82 per mile on the National Truckload Index (NTI.USA)—that’s the 7-day moving average of booked dry van spot rates, fuel included. Volumes are holding firm at multi-year peaks we haven’t seen since late 2022. The chart shows the steady climb of trucking spot […]
A new report from Uber Freight signals continuing volatility across trucking and global logistics as spot rates rise and policy shifts reshape supply chains.
The Dalilah Law, the Senate bill introduced by Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) following President Trump’s call during the State of the Union, would trigger a sharp, immediate contraction in trucking capacity if enacted, potentially igniting a trucking super cycle with overnight rate surges amid severely tight supply. Much higher trucking rates could become permanent, giving […]
The freight market has been sending mixed signals for months, but one trend stands out clearly as we move deeper into 2026: trucking spot rates have staged a meaningful recovery, while intermodal rates remain stubbornly anchored near cycle lows. Look at the data. Truckload spot rates (inclusive of fuel) are holding elevated around $2.80 per […]
Tender rejections are at 9.97%.
The U.S. trucking industry continues to face a harsh economic reality: spot rates have failed to keep pace with inflation, squeezing carrier margins and contributing to significant financial pressure on truckers nationwide. Here’s a clear visual of the disconnect — spot trucking rates (via the SONAR National Truckload Index) overlaid against the Consumer Price Index […]
Vooma users can instantly validate their pricing against SONAR’s spot rates and lane scores.
Late 2025 data shows subtle shifts in spot, contract rates amid carrier exits
Real-time spot rates, weekly contract rates, benchmarks and lane scores are integrated into Blue Yonder TMS.
Spot rates and tender rejections exceeded 2024, 2023, and 2022 levels.
“The supply-demand balance may retrench in the coming months…”
Industry economist projects that 600,000 active drivers could be eliminated from trucking Update 5:30 pm ET: FreightWaves received clarifying comment from Highway on the state of their system. A Highway representative said, “the Highway system is not static. It is an adaptive system. Fraudsters can’t “reverse engineer” what changes continuously based on new patterns, behavioral […]
Capacity, volume, and spot rate data at the driver’s fingertips.
Spot broker Landstar System pointed to some positive signs after the market closed on Tuesday but noted that the truckload market largely remains challenging.
Tender rejections are at 6% and rising, two weeks before the holiday.
The Atlanta, Dallas and Chicago freight markets are all tightening.
