Truckload

First quarter revenue growth expectations were described as steady in the report, with an average forecast of 2%, while positive revenue sentiment hit 72%, its highest level since the second quarter 2025, following a 69% projection, for the fourth quarter, in the report’s previous edition.

The $387 billion U.S. truckload sector is still stuck in a three-year freight recession, with soft demand, rising bankruptcies, and tariff-driven volatility continuing to weigh on carriers. Yet, amid mergers, bankruptcies, and shifting global trade, leading operators like J.B. Hunt, Knight-Swift, and Werner are adapting business models, pursuing cross-border growth, and investing in efficiencies to weather the downturn.

The September shipments reading, at 1.042, was down 5.4% annually, faring better than August’s 9.3% annual decrease, and increased 2.5% over August. The September shipments reading, at 1.042, was down 5.4% annually, faring better than August’s 9.3% annual decrease, and increased 2.5% over August.

A trio of industry stakeholders—each focused on different areas of surface transportation, including truckload, ground parcel, and less-than-truckload (LTL)—addressed current market conditions for their respective modes, as well as take a look at key priorities shippers need to be focusing on in 2026, at a session at this week’s Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) EDGE conference in National Harbor, Maryland.

The August shipments reading, at 1.017, fell 9.3% annually and was down 1.5% compared to July. And the August expenditures reading, at 3.135, fell 0.4% annually and were down 2.8%, from July to August.

The report observed that truckload (TL) activity accounted for 72% of second quarter broker activity, followed by Miscellaneous (which includes ocean, air, warehousing, and special services), at 14%, less-than-truckload (LTL), at 11%, and intermodal, at 3%.

Logistics Management Group News Editor Jeff Berman recently caught up with Doug Waggoner, CEO of Chicago-based 3PL Echo Global Logistics. Waggoner offered up insights on various logistics and supply chain trends and themes, including: freight economic conditions, capacity and rates, M&A, technology, and cross-border logistics, among others.

DAT observed that July truckload freight volumes were steady, due to summer seasonality being paced by produce and retail goods moving on the road prior to the July 4 holiday, adding that volumes saw a gradual decline over the balance of July.

Chicago-based third-party logistics and technology-enabled transportation services provider Echo Global Logistics announced earlier today it has acquired Huntington Beach, Calif.-based Freight Saver, a provider of third-party logistics (3PL) services.

Discover the winners of Logistics Management’s prestigious “42nd Annual Quest for Quality Awards,” honoring top performers in transportation and logistics services. This year’s survey garnered over 3,017 responses, evaluating providers across key criteria like On-time Performance, Customer Service, and Information Technology. Categories include motor carriers, railroads, ocean carriers, and more, reflecting LM's commitment to excellence in service quality. Learn who stood out and what sets them apart in the logistics industry.

The van TVI, at 243, was down 2% compared to May and up 4% annually, and the refrigerated (reefer) TVI, at 191, was down 5% compared to May and up 10% annually.

There were 1.93 million loads on the DAT One network during the week of June 29 to July 5 (Week 27), which is down 20% compared to the previous week and is expected when comparing a holiday week to a full workweek.

There were 2.3 million loads on the DAT One network during the week of June 22-28, the last full shipping week before the July 4 holiday,” said DAT. That’s 14% higher than the previous week, 2% less year over year, and nearly identical to Week 26 in 2023. The number of truck posts decreased by 11% to 229,752, 45% lower than the same week in 2024.

The 36th Annual State of Logistics Report highlights the challenges facing the truckload sector, the largest segment of the $387 billion trucking market. With tariffs on foreign goods affecting freight volumes, major carriers like J.B. Hunt, Knight-Swift, and Werner Enterprises are experiencing declines, particularly in intermodal and TL pricing.

The truckload sector remains in a tough spot due to weak freight demand, overcapacity, and broader economic instability. Our experts predict recovery may be delayed until 2026, with depressed rates and potential service-level issues. In this discussion, we gather insights from three freight transportation leaders on how shippers can proactively navigate these challenges. Key strategies include locking in favorable rates, fostering strong relationships with carriers, and maintaining flexibility to adapt to market shifts.