One of the hardest moments in trucking ownership is realizing your truck is worth less than what you still owe on it. You bought that truck thinking it was an investment, a tool to build your business. But markets shift, equipment depreciates, and sometimes the note outruns the value. That’s when you’re upside down—owing $90,000 […]
Commercial truck leasing through companies like Penske or Ryder is built for business flexibility—but that flexibility comes at a price if you exit early. Whether you’re downsizing your fleet, facing a cash crunch, or pivoting your business model, turning in a leased tractor before the end of the agreement doesn’t mean you just hand over […]
A fatal crash in Florida involving a non–English-speaking CDL holder set off a political firestorm—and it didn’t take long for Washington to respond. With headlines stacking up and safety advocates calling for accountability, newly appointed Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy issued a hardline directive: states must begin strict enforcement of English proficiency rules for commercial […]
If you’re running trucks and not pulling oil samples, you’re missing a critical opportunity to catch something before it becomes a bigger issue. Oil samples are one of the cheapest, most reliable ways to see inside your engine without tearing it apart. Too many small fleet owners and operators look at oil changes as a […]
This article is contributed content. It does not reflect the views or opinions of FreightWaves or any of its subsidiaries. In April 2024, federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York took down what they called a “beer theft enterprise.” A crew slipped into railyards across four states, loading thousands of cases of Corona […]
Flexport Capital redefines supply chain financing with BlackRock partnership, enhancing liquidity in logistics.
Mexico is proposing a 50% tariff on Chinese imports while banning shoe and small-package shipments to align with U.S. trade pressures.
Scaling With Sanity: Financial Management for Multi-Truck Fleets wasn’t about spreadsheets and theory. It was about what actually happens when your business outgrows your personal bank account. And if you’re pushing past three to five trucks without a real financial structure in place, you’re not scaling — you’re gambling. “More Trucks Should Mean More Profit […]
On paper, a 35,000-pound load and a 45,000-pound load might not seem that far apart. But in the real world, that 10,000-pound difference could be the reason your bank account feels thinner at the end of the month. The heavier the freight, the harder your engine works, the more fuel you burn — and the […]
A transmission doesn’t just wake up one day and blow itself out. It wears down in silence. It warns you in whispers—until the whisper becomes a breakdown. Slipping gears. Delayed shifts. Rattles, vibrations, burnt fluid, rising temps—these are all clues. And if you catch them early enough, you save thousands. But if you wait until […]
In the logistics world, safety and efficiency are two sides of the same coin. Whether your drivers are at the warehouse, at a rest area or on the road, mobility insights can be instrumental for safer, more streamlined operations and supply chains at every turn.
Motive and Fleetio announced an expanded integration that centralizes fuel, maintenance and telematics data to help fleet operators cut costs and ensure compliance.
More shippers are tapping United-States-Mexico-Canada Agreement exemptions to avoid higher duties.
Hexagon Agility secures major order for CNG fuel systems for Trayecto’s trucks, boosting clean transportation in Latin America.
The Trump administration threatens to cut funds to California, New Mexico and Washington, over trucker English enforcement.
Trusted Freight Exchange enhances security in freight with identity and compliance tools.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended its temporary waiver allowing commercial drivers and motor carriers to use paper medical examiner certificates for up to 60 days after issuance, up from the previous 15-day allowance, as state licensing agencies continue transitioning to electronic medical certification systems. The modified waiver addresses ongoing implementation challenges with the National Registry II electronic transmission requirements that took effect June 23, with only 38 states and the District of Columbia currently compliant while 12 states including California, Florida, and New York have yet to implement the new system.
If you’ve been watching the headlines lately, you know immigration is once again front and center — not just in politics, but now on the asphalt. According to reports first published by the New York Post and echoed across Fox News and other major outlets, Florida has officially turned all 27 of its commercial truck […]
Tires are one of the biggest operating expenses for any trucking company, but some carriers don’t treat them like the diagnostic tool they are. They see tread loss as the cost of doing business, when in reality, tires are trying to tell you what’s wrong with your truck. Every wear pattern—feathering, cupping, shoulder wear—has a […]
Brake problems don’t start at the roadside—they start in the yard with poor maintenance. One of the most overlooked pieces of a truck’s braking system is the slack adjuster. Many small fleets and drivers either ignore it completely or, worse, adjust it at the wrong time. The result is uneven braking, premature wear, out-of-service violations, […]
Every truck you purchase comes with an OEM maintenance schedule. Most ELDs you install has the ability to track miles, engine hours, and time. Yet some small fleets never connect those two together. Instead, they leave maintenance up to memory, paperwork, or worse—driver recall. That’s how critical service intervals get skipped, warranties get voided, and […]
For years, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) has pushed one of the most recycled headlines in transportation: “We’re facing a historic driver shortage.” If you follow industry media, you’ve seen it. If you’re an owner-operator or small carrier, you’ve probably posted a comment on X or Facebook in debate of someone who recycles this message. […]
This week in Borderlands: Border factories losing jobs, production to tariffs; Echo Global Logistics joins U.S. Customs trade security program; and Mexico sets record with $34B in foreign investment over two years.
Why This Class Matters in a Down Market Rates are tight, volumes are shifting, and fuel isn’t doing anyone any favors. A lot of carriers are hanging on by a thread, and in a down market, it’s natural to think adding a second truck might help you grow your way out of it. But here’s […]
Some small carriers treat the rate confirmation like just another attachment—something to forward and forget. But the smartest ones know better. They use it as a control point. Because the rate con doesn’t just say where a load goes—it outlines how your money moves. It’s the one document that touches your driver, your dispatch, your […]
No warning light. No catastrophic failure. Just a slow, consistent leak in your fuel economy and regen performance until you’re wondering where all your margin went. Let’s talk real. If you’re running a DPF-equipped truck, that 7th injector could be costing you 5–10% in fuel efficiency, accelerating ash buildup in your aftertreatment system, and setting […]
AI adoption and supply chain traceability, highlighting the impact and future potential.
The Trump administration announced Thursday night it is immediately pausing issuing of worker visas for commercial truck drivers.
FreightWaves’ Craig Fuller and Zach Strickland see housing and auto headwinds, and rising carrier bankruptcies in August’s State of Freight.
Every two weeks, another headline drops about a new pilot project or infrastructure upgrade—but this one’s worth a closer look. This month, Caltrans and the Solano Transportation Authority officially broke ground on a long-overdue modernization of the westbound truck scales facility on I-80 in Northern California. The project isn’t just about repaving or re-striping lanes. […]
We’ve seen owner-operators burn thousands chasing software that promised to “run their whole fleet” and then just sat there unused. The truth? Google Sheets can do some of what those systems do—without taking a bite out of your cash flow. The catch? You’ve got to build it right and stick to a routine. This isn’t […]
Direct freight isn’t posted on a load board, and you won’t stumble into it at a truck stop. It’s earned. Earned through professionalism, consistency, and running your operation like a real business—not a hustle. Shippers aren’t looking for someone with just a truck and authority. They’re looking for partners. Carriers they can count on. The […]
If you’re a fleet owner, owner operator, or small carrier trying to build a team that lasts, listen up: what happens in the first 30 days with a new driver doesn’t just impact their performance—it determines whether they’ll still be with you 6 months from now. And that’s exactly why our most recent Playbook Masterclass […]
Training gaps and outdated tools have left freight security full of blind spots; competition makes them wider. The trucking industry carries roughly 70% of all goods across the United States, yet it’s operating in the middle of a freight recession. Volumes are down, rates are volatile, and with many providers fighting load to load just […]
Some small fleet owners measure success by how many trucks they can add. One truck becomes three, three becomes five, and before long, the whole focus is on truck count. But here’s the truth the industry rarely talks about: trucks are not the business. They are tools. Adding more of them doesn’t automatically mean you’re […]
A lot of folks think “growth” just means more trucks, more loads, more lanes. But that’s not growth—that can mean chaos. Real, sustainable growth comes from clarity. And clarity only comes when you know your numbers inside and out. If you’re not tracking, reviewing, and executing off your data, you’re not scaling—you’re just guessing. And […]
Here’s the truth: fuel is your second-biggest cost right behind your truck payment or labor. Yet too many fleets treat it like an afterthought. If you’re not planning fuel alongside your routes, you’re not running in the most effective way—you’re running blind. And in this market, blind spots cost real money. The fleets that win […]
If you’re still booking loads of freight based on whatever’s paying the most today, you’re not really running a business—you’re rolling dice. A business that lives only on spot freight is built on sand. The minute the tide shifts—rates drop, brokers ghost, or slow season hits—your whole operation sinks. On the flip side, chasing the […]
Here’s the hard truth: you don’t control freight. You don’t control whether a shipper changes their plans last minute or if a broker backs out of a commitment. What you do control is how you respond. Too many small fleet owners treat freight cancellations like personal attacks. But this business isn’t personal—it’s just business. You […]
That 1.7 Million Space “Shortage” Might Not Be Real According to Truck Parking Club’s August 2025 research report, the trucking industry has been looking at the parking problem all wrong. Here’s the traditional view: For years, that’s been the gospel. FMCSA, OOIDA, and even members of Congress have pushed funding and legislation to build more […]
More than 3,090 layoffs have been announced since mid-July across freight, logistics and manufacturing companies.
Highway lands major investment for Carrier Identity platform to tackle fraud in the freight industry efficiently.
Loop merges with Data2Logistics to revolutionize supply chain data management, enhancing visibility and efficiency.
President Donald Trump’s 50% tariff on imported steel and aluminum has been expanded to include products such as auto parts, EV components, railcars, and marine engines.
Funding heavy on AI applications and innovation for enterprise-level solutions.
Recent data released by U.S. Bank showed that despite trade- and economic-related uncertainty, the national truck freight market grew in the second quarter of 2025
Returns have become one of the most difficult and expensive parts of modern retail logistics.
“You Feel It Before You Read It” You don’t need a SONAR chart, Wall Street analyst, or FMCSA stat sheet to know that something’s been off. You feel it in your deadhead miles. You feel it when you sigh before grabbing another low paying load. You feel it in the way your truck payment hits […]
This acquisition promises to bridge the gap between merely tracking shipments and understanding the broader impacts of those shipments on inventory and customer experiences.
FreightWaves has partnered with J.B. Hunt and Reliance Partners to deliver an insightful webinar on modern supply chain challenges titled “Freight Budgeting: Navigating 2025 and Beyond.”
Freight technology company Truckstop announced it has acquired Denim, a transportation-focused financial tech business and factoring service that automates invoicing.
New research discovers the true scope of truck parking.
Most carriers hustle for good freight, good rates, and good relationships—but never stop to ask whether their brokers are holding up their end. It’s easy to assume that all brokers deserve your capacity. But the truth is, some brokers are hurting your margins more than they’re helping your business. And if you’re not tracking it, […]
Truck and rail dwell and capacity remained stable at the ports of LA-Long Beach despite a record surge in container volumes.
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. […]
Capacity, volume, and spot rate data at the driver’s fingertips.
A commercial tractor-trailer’s illegal U-turn on Florida’s Turnpike last week killed three people in a minivan that collided with the trailer at highway speed, putting new focus on critical flaws in commercial driver licensing and training standards that have made America’s highways increasingly dangerous.
This week in Borderlands: US trade with Mexico tops $73B in June; Pharmaceutical maker plans $188M investment in Mexico; and Border agents find $7.6M in meth hidden in shipment of roses.
CLB Trucking filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Mexico’s heavy-duty truck exports, production and sales plunge amid U.S. tariff uncertainty.
Korea Ocean Business Corp. invests $287M in Georgia to enhance South Korean logistics in the U.S.
Greenlane is establishing a second EV charging corridor connecting Southern California to Phoenix via Interstate 10, anchored by its Colton flagship site, to support electric trucks and reduce range concerns.
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 […]
Freight appointment scheduling seems simple, until you have to do it. Traditionally, securing an appointment has been a slow, manual process. It also hasn’t changed much over the past few decades. Qued is using AI to change that. “When we talk about freight scheduling, even people within our industry often don’t understand how complex it […]
Leading policy and technology experts will deliver keynotes.
Cargo thefts increase in the U.S. and Mexico during Q2, with electronics and food as top targets.
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.
With Colorado requiring commercial vehicles to carry chains starting September 1 and other states following suit through October, truck drivers need to understand the complex web of chain laws, installation requirements, and hefty penalties that await the unprepared. From $880 fines in Oregon to $1,000+ penalties in Colorado for blocking highways, the stakes have never been higher.
GoodShip is expanding its team and operations, establishing a new headquarters in Bellevue.
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. […]
Let’s cut through the noise. Daily log audits aren’t just about keeping the DOT off your back. They’re a goldmine for small fleets and owner-operators who want to run leaner, smarter, and more profitably. Most carriers treat logs like a chore—something to scribble down, file away, and pray nobody checks. That’s a mistake. Done right, […]
If you’re running a trucking business, especially as a small fleet owner or solo carrier, you need to understand this clearly: the fastest way to trigger a compliance audit from the FMCSA is to have incomplete or improperly maintained driver qualification files. It doesn’t matter if your trucks are running on time or if your […]
Waabi’s new mixed reality testing system blends physical tracks with virtual scenarios, allowing autonomous trucks to safely face unlimited dangers via generative AI.
Brazilian entrepreneur Ricardo Faria’s $1.1 billion acquisition of Hillandale Farms continues a troubling pattern of foreign control over critical US food infrastructure. The deal puts one of America’s most transportation-intensive agricultural operations, complete with a 250-trailer fleet serving markets from Maine to the Carolinas, under foreign ownership. Unlike previous high-profile foreign food acquisitions, this major deal has received minimal mainstream attention despite significant implications for supply chains and the 11.27 billion tons of freight moved annually by US trucks.
Dash cameras are great at capturing risky moments on the road, but the real power lies in what happens after the footage rolls. “A well-structured coaching workflow transforms dash cam events into meaningful behavior change, reducing risk and building a culture of safety,” says Tom Bray, senior industry business advisor at J. J. Keller & […]
The integration introduces Toll Genius to users to automate billing hurdles.
The trucking industry’s decade-long push for hair follicle drug testing is reaching a critical inflection point as the Trump administration prepares to address guidelines that have been delayed repeatedly since 2015. Major carriers say hair testing catches 10 times more drug users than urine screens, but face fierce opposition from minority groups and independent truckers who claim the methods are discriminatory.
Motive Technologies closed a $150 million funding round led by Kleiner Perkins this week, positioning the AI-powered platform for aggressive expansion beyond its dashcam origins. What started as fleet management in 2015 has evolved into an integrated operations platform spanning driver safety, fuel cards, workforce management, and fraud detection, serving nearly 100,000 customers with AI capabilities that achieve up to 80% collision reductions.
Let’s be clear—manual dispatch boards, whiteboards in the shop, and scribbled notes on the back of receipts don’t cut it anymore. Not if you’re serious about running a field-based operation that’s efficient, accountable, and scalable. Whether you’re managing roadside service trucks, mobile technicians, or heavy equipment repairs, the right field service management (FSM) software will […]
While Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have agreed to consolidate, intermodal heavyweights will have to reassess their links to the major railroads.
This week in Borderlands Mexico: Latin America poised for global trade growth, experts say; DSV begins construction of logistics hub in Texas; and COIM USA acquires acreage at TexAmericas Center.
Let’s set the record straight—bookkeeping is not some behind-the-scenes admin task you push off until tax season. In trucking, your books are your compass. Without clean, organized, and trucking-specific financials, you’re not just driving blind—you’re making decisions that could sink your business. I’ve seen too many good carriers fall apart not because of bad freight, […]
When revenue stalls, most small carriers think: “I need another truck.” That logic is broken. Adding trucks before dialing in your business model just multiplies your problems—fuel, repairs, insurance, compliance, and payroll. A small operation with 1 to 3 trucks should be profitable before it ever considers scaling up. Let’s make this clear: if you’re […]
The for-hire trucking industry faced its fourth consecutive month of declining volumes in June, according to ACT Research’s For-Hire Trucking Index.
Carmel, Indianapolis-based nonprofit Project 61 has acquired health and wellness company Offshift to improve the wellbeing of America’s truck drivers.
Let’s clear this up: your back office isn’t an office. It’s the system you build to make decisions, protect your money, and stay on the road legally. It doesn’t need to be big—but it does need to be tight. The three main roles of your back office are: If your current setup involves a legal […]
When you’re out running loads in the dead of night, your dash cam doesn’t get to sleep. It’s still working. Still recording. Still protecting your business. And if you’re relying on a camera that can’t see clearly after sunset, you’ve got a weak link in your operation. Accidents don’t check the clock. Most incidents—whether it’s […]
The US and Mexico announced on Thursday a 90-day extension to negotiate a long term trade deal.
