Trucking

Trucking Rates Stabilize at Elevated Levels Despite Capacity Signals

Spot rates in the truckload market may have reached their ceiling, but carriers maintain pricing power through persistent capacity constraints and regulatory pressures. Dry van linehaul rates averaged $2.26 per mile last week, up 2.4% as available loads decline. LTL carriers lifted rates to 80% above historical baselines, reflecting tight conditions. High diesel costs and enforcement activities reinforce rate floors across both truckload and less-than-truckload segments. The capacity squeeze forces shippers toward alternative modes, with intermodal and rail carload volumes climbing to new heights across industrial sectors. Refrigerated carriers report particular strength, with operators now able to cherry-pick freight and command premium pricing.