Truckload spot rates reach 2-year high due to diesel costs and supply side

A record-setting week in the spot market got our attention. In Episode 362 of Trucking Market Update, Avery Vise covers: ✔ Record broker-posted spot rates ✔ Flatbed strength and Roadcheck implications ✔ Diesel pulling back—but crude near $100 raises questions ✔ Retail and inventory signals worth watching When rates, fuel, and inventories all move at once, market intelligence matters even more. Tune in for this week’s update. https://hubs.la/Q04dS82Z0 #Freight #SupplyChainStrategy #TruckingIndustry #MarketIntelligence #Capacity #Diesel #Transportation

A record-setting week in the spot market got our attention. In Episode 362 of Trucking Market Update, Avery Vise covers: ✔ Record broker-posted spot rates ✔ Flatbed strength and Roadcheck implications ✔ Diesel pulling back—but crude near $100 raises questions ✔ Retail and inventory signals worth watching When rates, fuel, and inventories all move at once, market intelligence matters even more. Tune in for this week’s update. https://hubs.la/Q04f7gRr0 #Freight #SupplyChainStrategy #TruckingIndustry #MarketIntelligence #Capacity #Diesel #Transportation

🚨 Diesel Prices Just Crossed $5.50/Gallon – What Shippers Need to Know Right Now The trucking market is shifting fast in April 2026. Diesel has surged past $5.50 per gallon nationally (and over $7.50 on the West Coast). This is driving up fuel surcharges, pushing spot rates higher, and tightening truck capacity faster than expected. I just published a detailed update on what this means for shippers and what smart shippers are doing to protect their supply chain and control costs. Key points covered: Current diesel prices & fuel surcharge impact How spot and contract rates are moving Why capacity is tightening Practical tips shippers should take immediately 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dEN4vS2Y At Viable Link Freight, we’re helping shippers secure reliable capacity and stable pricing even in this volatile market. If you’re moving dry van, reefer, or flatbed freight and want a dependable partner who understands today’s challenges, feel free to reach out or comment below. #Trucking #FreightRates #Logistics #SupplyChain #DieselPrices #TruckingNews #Shippers

What’s driving truckload and LTL prices to new heights? According to Andy Dyer in JOC.com, there are a few reasons. 1️⃣ Diesel fuel prices are up dramatically, nearly 57% compared to this time last year. 2️⃣ Truckload carriers are beginning to exert upward pressures on their rates, even though demand still isn’t increasing. Coupled with fuel costs, that pressure has still generated the highest truckload rates in years. 3️⃣ LTL pricing discipline is more pervasive and durable than ever before. Get the 411 on the state of the market and how shippers are adjusting: https://lnkd.in/e2vnYSw7

Rising truckload and LTL rates are continuing to hit shippers hard and for many, it feels nearly impossible to manage or reduce those costs. While this may be the “new normal,” there are still opportunities to uncover savings. At AFS Logistics, we help companies break down what’s really driving their transportation spend—especially in areas like fuel and accessorials so they can take back control and protect their bottom line. If you’re running into this and want to understand where the opportunities might be, I’m happy to share what we’re seeing, lgarcia@afs.net

The Fuel Reality Check Trip: 1,000 miles at 6 MPG = 167 gallons needed 2020 @ 2.50/gallon: → Total fuel cost: $417 → Cost per mile: $0.42 2026 @ $6.00/gallon: → Total fuel cost: $1,000 → Cost per mile: $1.00 The damage: → Extra cost: $583 per 1,000 miles → Per mile increase: $0.58 → Percentage increase: 140% But here's the plot twist: 2020: "I made $2,500 on that 1,000-mile run!" After fuel: $2,083 profit 2026: "I made $4,000 on that 1,000-mile run!" After fuel: $3,000 profit The spot market is actually paying MORE because: → Capacity crisis → 88,000 carriers gone → Driver shortage → Demand exceeding supply Fuel prices aren't killing rates. They're just salt in the wound of an already expensive market. Shippers are paying whatever it takes to move freight. Fuel is just making that "whatever it takes" even higher.

This is a vital reality check for the spot market, but the downstream impact on retail is reaching a breaking point. While shippers are currently paying whatever it takes, the March 2026 CPI data shows energy costs up 10.9% and fuel oil surging over 30% in a single month. This isn't just a logistics hurdle; it’s a structural threat to consumer stability. As these costs hit the shelf, the sticker shock will inevitably cool discretionary spending, eventually leading to a sharp decline in freight demand and potential job losses across the retail sector. From a risk management perspective, we have to look ahead: once the whatever it takes threshold is hit, the final customer stops buying. This creates a dangerous ripple effect—unsold inventory leads to fewer freight requests, which could quickly turn today's driver shortage into a tomorrow's surplus. We need to be preparing for a market correction where the high cost of moving goods finally outpaces the consumer's ability to pay for them. #Logistics #SupplyChain #CommercialInsurance #CPI #Inflation #FreightMarket #RiskManagement #RetailTrends #Transportation #EconomicOutlook

This is where having the right 3PL actually matters. At Larkin Express, we’re not guessing—we’re watching this market daily and helping customers make the right call on timing, capacity, and pricing. That’s the difference right now.

Fuel is back. Rates are rising. And the signals? Still mixed. This week’s trucking update highlights a market that’s tightening—but not in a clean, predictable way. Diesel surged to $5.64 Spot rates hit another all-time high Capacity is growing… but maybe not for long The challenge right now isn’t spotting change—it’s interpreting what it means. We broke it all down in a quick read: https://hubs.ly/Q04ftNk30 #Trucking #Freight #SupplyChain #Logistics #Transportation

🚛 The LTL market is showing some interesting momentum right now. We’re seeing an uptick in LTL volumes as fuel prices continue to rise and shippers look for creative ways to control transportation costs. For many, shifting freight from full truckload to LTL or box trucks is becoming an effective way to stay lean while maintaining service levels. At the same time, truckload capacity is still in the process of right-sizing. As capacity tightens, pricing pressure could quickly follow—making today’s mode-shift decisions even more strategic. The big question is how long this trend lasts and whether it accelerates if fuel and capacity dynamics continue on their current trajectory. Shippers and carriers alike will need to stay agile as the market continues to evolve. What are your thoughts—short-term adjustment, or a longer-term shift in shipping strategies? #LTL #FreightMarket #Transportation #Logistics #SupplyChain #FreightTrends #Trucking #Capacity #FuelCosts