Breaking

Uber Freight Warns of Potential Q4 Rate Spike as Truck Capacity Remains Constrained

Truck capacity heading into the fourth quarter remains too tight to prevent another surge in spot rates if freight demand picks up, according to Uber Freight's latest market analysis. Truckload rates stabilized after two quarters of increases, with national average dry van contract linehaul rates reaching $2.39 per mile in July—an 18% increase from July 2024. The June-to-July gain of 13 cents marked the largest monthly increase on record. Spot pricing reached 47% higher year over year before easing as the seasonal July peak faded. Tight capacity continues affecting less-than-truckload, intermodal and cross-border shipping. Shippers relying on week-to-week capacity sourcing face heightened vulnerability. September and October offer a window to secure capacity before peak season. Truckload and Mexico routes carry high exposure, while intermodal and Canada face medium severity. Tender acceptance rates improved to 78% in August but remain well below historical norms of 90-94%.