FTR Trucking Conditions Index remains negative but heads in right direction

The new edition of the Trucking Conditions Index, which was recently released by freight transportation consultancy FTR, saw a slight increase.

According to FTR, a TCI reading above zero represents an adequate trucking environment, with readings above 10 indicating that volumes, prices and margin are in a good range for carriers.

And it explained that the TCI tracks the changes representing five major conditions in the U.S. truck market. These conditions include: freight volumes, freight rates, fleet capacity, fuel prices, and financing costs. Individual metrics are combined into a single index indicating the industry’s overall health. A positive score represents good, optimistic conditions. And a negative score represents bad, pessimistic conditions. Readings near zero are consistent with a neutral operating environment, and double-digit readings in either direction suggest significant operating changes are likely.

For July, the most recent month for which data is available, the TCI reading came in at -1.03, faring better than June’s -1.83 reading, the lowest in 2025, with the firm noting that the TCI improved despite all freight-related factors coming in lower than in June. And it observed that the considerable slowing in diesel prices helped to offset that deterioration, as diesel prices were higher in June. While FTR said that the trucking sector remains in the doldrums, the outlook is somewhat more favorable for carriers.

“We do not see the market any stronger for carriers soon in the areas that matter most to them—freight rates and volume—but a recent preliminary revision of trucking employment estimates suggests tighter capacity than previously indicated,” he said. “Meanwhile, other potential capacity stresses loom, including rising truck insurance costs and pressure on foreign drivers. Although our utilization forecast is still basically flat, the prospects have risen for improved freight volume to strengthen the truck freight market noticeably.”