The Trucker: Signs point upward for trucking, but freight rates remain stubbornly sluggish going into 2026
The trucking industry received some positive news in December, helping generate optimism about an improving freight market.
The trucking industry received some positive news in December, helping generate optimism about an improving freight market.
It’s all about the spot market in this week’s roundup of economic trucking news. And the news is mostly positive for truckers.
Six freight carriers filed for bankruptcy in November, with some unsecured claims going well into six figures.
Many carriers began 2025 with high hopes that trucking conditions were turning the corner, ending the long “freight recession.” The ones that still survive are hoping the same of 2026.
If “unpredictability” were the freight industry’s word of the year, 2025 aced the test.
Spot rates increased across all major equipment types year over year, with refrigerated rates up 14% from last year.
Though the transportation market was largely stagnant in 2025, signs indicate a gradual recovery rather than a complete rebound in 2026, according to DAT Freight & Analytics’ recent report.
Load posts on DAT One topped 3.2 million, exceeding 3 million for the third straight week in the final full shipping week of 2025.
Since the start of the year, commercial motor vehicle inspectors have placed 10,203 CDL drivers out-of-service for violating 49 Code of Federal Regulations 391.11(b)(2), the English language proficiency requirement.
Market pricing remains “inverted,” as contract rates were higher than spot rates in November, continuing trend seen since early 2022.