Breaking

Freight Demand Surges 5% as Carriers Tighten Grip on Capacity

Truckload freight demand climbed nearly 5% week over week as of November 9th, with the Tender Volume Index reaching 11,600—levels last seen in late spring. The demand surge arrives amid constrained carrier capacity, intensifying pricing pressure across the market. Tender rejection rates held steady at 12.22 percentage points, while flatbed rejections tightened further to 21%. Van contract rates hit a 52-week high of $2.85 per mile, signaling sustained market strength. Spot rates posted broad gains nationwide, with Wyoming, Utah, Montana, and Laredo showing particular strength. Pockets of softness emerged along the East Coast and select Midwest markets. LTL cost per hundredweight rose from $46. Diesel prices declined 6 cents week over week but remain up 9 cents month over month.