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Economic trends: Page 2

How new regulations and AI are driving a permanent freight market shift

Experts say higher freight rates are here to stay for a while because federal regulations have tightened capacity and shifted the trajectory of the industry. They noted that technology, especially AI, will play an important role in keeping shippers, carriers and brokers profitable.

October 1, 2026

Freight redistribution drives supply chain stability, report says

Geotab’s inaugural Health of U.S. Supply Chain report analyzed data from the activity of more than 6 million commercial vehicles across long-haul, regional, hub-and-spoke, last-mile and drayage.

September 29, 2026

Semi-truck with red shipping container on stylized street map background

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October 22, 2026

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Economic trends

Diesel tops $6.50 a gallon as truck capacity stays tight

Diesel just hit a new record, and it's shaping freight costs.

September 23, 2026

Fleet of white commercial semi-trucks parked at an industrial warehouse facility

Economic trends

Truck tonnage down for second consecutive month

ATA's Truck Tonnage Index has fallen in four of the last five months after big gains were observed to begin the year. Also: Iowa relaxes weight regs for ag haulers; truck driver arrested for alleged cargo theft.

September 23, 2026

ATA Truck Tonnage Index chart showing August 2026 data with 0.5% decline, tracking seasonal tonnage trends from 2022-2026

Regulatory reset and compliance standards drive up trucking costs

Driven by intensive federal regulatory enforcement and stricter compliance standards, the U.S. trucking market is transitioning from abundant capacity to a more expensive, verified standard of defensible capacity.

September 22, 2026

Red and silver semi-truck with refrigerated trailer parked on road under large green trees

Economic trends

Trailer orders surge in August, fueled by replacement demand

August trailer orders jumped more than 40% from July, but both ACT and FTR say the real story is what a weak 2025 makes 2026 look like.

September 21, 2026

Row of white commercial trailers parked in a dirt lot under clear blue sky

Economic trends

Supply constraints drive freight rate surge

Freight shipments just ended a 42-month slump, but it's tightening capacity, not demand, pushing rates higher.

September 18, 2026

Fleet of white commercial semi-trucks parked outside industrial warehouse facility

Economic trends

Peak season looks different as capacity crunch builds

Diesel prices, tariff whiplash, and capacity constraints are reshaping this year's peak season.

September 17, 2026

Red semi-truck with white trailer driving on highway with motion blur and green trees in background

Diesel spike, political turmoil send auto haulers's costs soaring

A sudden surge in diesel prices following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz drove car hauler carrier pay up 22.8% and consumer vehicle shipping costs up 14.6% in early 2026, ending two years of flat pricing.

September 16, 2026

White semi-truck with car carrier trailer transporting multiple vehicles on city street

Economic trends

Soaring diesel prices and tight capacity set rate floor after holiday dip

Tighter capacity and a modest improvement in demand are likely to keep upward pressure on freight rates over the next 12 to 18 months.

September 15, 2026

Semi-trucks parked under blue and red canopy at commercial truck stop facility

XPO, ArcBest report tonnage growth

One carrier is shipping more freight, the other heavier freight. A look at how XPO and ArcBest's August tonnage gains stack up.

September 9, 2026

XPO Logistics white semi-truck with branded trailer parked near waterfront with clear blue sky

Surging diesel and tightening capacity continue to push rates higher

Even as freight demand lagged behind last year's levels, a pre-holiday capacity squeeze and spike in fuel surcharges pushed spot market rates up across every trailer category ahead of the peak fall shipping season.

September 9, 2026

Industrial warehouse facility with loading dock, delivery trucks, and wooden pallets stacked in the yard

Economic trends

Pre-buy rush runs its course as Class 8 orders cool in August

The pre-buy rush is over. Class 8 orders slipped in August, and OEMs are now bracing for 2027 emissions pricing and engine decisions.

September 8, 2026

Old Dominion, Saia seeing strong revenue and tonnage growth

Two of the nation’s largest less-than-truckload carriers are seeing revenue and tonnage growth despite mixed shipment volume.

September 4, 2026

Fleet of white semi-trucks lined up at sunset with reflections on wet pavement

Economic trends

Is a real diesel shortage brewing? FTR analysts assess economic risk

Diesel inventories hit a low for 2026, below even the lowest point in 2022, when watchers warned of extremely low stocks. Demand for U.S. petroleum exports drives it with world access to Middle East oil hampered by war. Don't count on the AI data center construction boom to solve that problem.

September 1, 2026

Highway traffic scene with semi-trucks and passenger vehicles on a multi-lane road under clear blue sky

Truckload rates continue surge as CDL regs squeeze driver capacity

Truckload spot rates surged 32.4% in the second quarter as federal regulatory enforcement drastically reduced carrier capacity, pushing rate inflation to levels unseen since 2021 despite muted overall demand.

August 25, 2026

Commercial trucks driving on a multi-lane highway during golden hour sunset with clear blue sky

Economic trends

Oregon says online truck permitting system saved $940K in first year

Oregon touts benefits of online oversize permitting system. Also: Anchored by Alabama Motor Express, private equity firm M&T Capital Partners has launched RTB Holdings, which will serve as the parent umbrella company for its growing multimodal transportation and logistics platform.

August 21, 2026

White Peterbilt semi-truck with oversized load warning sign and escort vehicle on highway

Economic trends

Tonnage slipped in July after June's gains

Trucking activity in the United States decreased 1% in July after rising 1.5% in June, according to ATA. Also: CAST Specialty Transportation driver named CVSA's IDEA winner; cocaine bust at border.

August 20, 2026

ATA Truck Tonnage Index chart showing July 2026 data with 1% decline, displaying monthly tonnage trends from 2022 to 2026 with baseline of 100 in 2015

Page 2 of 85

Red semi-truck with green cargo trailer driving on highway with motion blur

Truckload rates hold steady as holiday freight season tests limited capacity

Truckload rates remain near historic highs and carriers retain strong negotiating leverage as rising peak-season freight volumes meet limited equipment capacity and elevated fuel costs.

Mechanic selecting tools from organized toolbox containing wrenches, sockets, and hand tools

Heavy-Duty parts inflation slows to .4% nationwide, masking steep regional swings

Union Pacific diesel locomotives lined up on railroad tracks in a rail yard under clear sky

Proposed rail merger would slash 2.1 billion long-distance truck miles from the highway annually, report finds

Four colorful semi-trucks parked in front of Roane Transportation facility building with wooded hillside background

PS Logistics expands flatbed footprint with Roane Transportation acquisition

Red elephant and blue donkey facing off against American flag background, symbolizing Republican and Democratic political opposition.

Democratic sweep of Congress sets up high-stakes battle over trucking regulations

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