Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, June 9, 2026:
Trucking conditions hit 4 year high in April
Trucking conditions surged to their strongest level in more than four years in April, driven by tight capacity and soaring freight rates that largely offset high fuel prices.
According to FTR’s most recent Trucking Conditions Index, the TCI jumped to 11.6 in April – a sharp recovery from March, when spiking fuel costs dragged the index down to -1.1.
FTR officials noted that while fuel costs remained a negative factor in April, the impact was much smaller than the previous month. All key market factors shifted in favor of carriers, with freight rates and capacity utilization serving as the primary drivers behind the double-digit index score.
Avery Vise, FTR’s vice president of trucking, said tight capacity and surging freight rates are broadly offsetting cash flow challenges caused by recent fuel cost increases. Vise added that overall market acceleration is primarily limited by freight volume, which is growing but lacks strong momentum. However, demand varies widely by sector. Flatbed operations are performing especially well, benefiting from capacity constraints and robust freight volume fueled by data center construction and a modest recovery in manufacturing.
Industry conditions are expected to peak this summer, but FTR forecasts the index will remain solidly favorable for carriers over its two-year outlook.
The TCI tracks five major conditions in the U.S. truck market: freight volumes, freight rates, fleet capacity, fuel prices and financing costs. A positive score indicates healthy, optimistic conditions for the industry, while double-digit readings suggest significant operating changes are likely.
ABF increasing LTL rates
General rates and charges for less-than-truckload services through ArcBest (CCJ Top 250, No. 19) and ABF Freight will increase, effective June 22, the company announced Monday.
Rates will increase by about 5.9%, although the effect on specific lanes and shipments may vary. New rates will be available to customers through arcb.com on or before June 22.
ODFL sees May revenue spike
Old Dominion Freight Line (No. 9) reported a 12.3% increase in daily revenue for May 2026, driven by higher yield despite a dip in tonnage.
The less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier attributed the revenue growth to a rise in LTL revenue per hundredweight, a key industry metric for yield. This growth helped offset a 3.8% year-over-year decrease in daily tonnage. The tonnage decline resulted from a 5.3% drop in daily shipments, though it was partially mitigated by a 1.6% increase in the average weight per shipment.
For the second quarter to date, LTL revenue per hundredweight has climbed 15.6% compared to the same period in 2025. Excluding fuel surcharges, that metric rose 5.4%.
"Demand has continued to improve as the quarter has progressed," said Marty Freeman, president and CEO of Old Dominion. Freeman noted that the company’s service metrics continue to support its pricing initiatives and long-term strategic plan.
The North Carolina-based company remains focused on winning market share through consistent investments in its network and technology, despite the current year-over-year declines in shipment volume.
