The latest data from the American Trucking Associations (ATA) confirms what many in our industry are feeling: the freight market remains exceptionally difficult. The October For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index registered a significant monthly decline, marking the most substantial drop in nearly two years. Truck freight tonnage fell by 2.1% in October, which pushed the seasonally adjusted level down to the lowest since January. This was the largest single-month decline seen since January 2024, according to ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello, reinforcing the persistent challenge in the sector. The tonnage also experienced its largest year-over-year decline in 2025, dropping 1.8% compared to the same month last year.
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While trucking is often seen as a barometer for the overall U.S. economy—representing nearly three-quarters of all domestic freight tonnage —these figures underscore the current capacity surplus and soft demand environment. The fact that year-to-date tonnage is unchanged compared to 2024 highlights how difficult a year this has been for growth.
Dry Van Market Conditions Index
Following the Thanksgiving holiday, the dry van spot market experienced a surge in activity as dry van load post volumes more than doubled. This increase in carrier engagement resulted in the load-to-truck ratio jumping to 10.48 last week.
National dry van linehaul spot rates
Spot dry van linehaul rates jumped by another $0.07 per mile last week, settling at an average of $1.81 per mile. This rate is $0.06 higher than the same week last year or slightly less than 6%.
The average rate for DAT’s top 50 lanes by load volume increased by $0.05 per mile last week, averaging $2.13 per mile and $0.32 higher than the national 7-day rolling average spot rate.
In the 13 key Midwest states, which represent 45% of national load volume and often indicate future national trends, spot rates increased by $0.13 per mile to $2.10 per mile, which was $0.29 above the national 7-day rolling average.
