Freight trends you should watch

Plus: Truck orders outlook | The new top 10 carriers

Transformation is a lot easier said than done. We share insights from an expert on how to make a tech upgrade actually work and have purpose.

Plus, the state of the truck orders, freight movement and how the trucking economy may shape up for the rest of the year.

And these are now the top 10 biggest trucking companies. Any names on the list surprise you?

⬇️ $3.758

AVG. COST OF DIESEL PER GALLON IN U.S. AS OF 12/01, DOWN -0.073¢

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

ROADSIDE READS

A global problem. Trucking issues aren't unique to the U.S. Across the pond, German trucking companies report similar challenges with rising driver wages, skills shortages and a slowed economy.

The future is now. Autonomous tanker trucks are hauling sand in the Permian Basin—no human drivers involved. This article dives deep into oilfield logistics and what this means for trucking's future.

This year's caravan. Outside Chicago, truckers traveled from Joliet to Des Plaines in an annual pilgrimage to advocate for peace and immigration rights. Check out photos here.

Happy birthday 🥳 Mack Trucks marks 125 years in operation.

INDUSTRY VOICES

Defining the 'why' behind tech transformation in trucking

Many leaders want to hop on the AI bandwagon for fear of being left behind. The reality, though, is that "transformation is much harder in practice than it sounds on paper," writes Lorena Ruiz, operations director at S.fleet. Busy teams, resistance to change and siloed departments make transformations tough.

Ruiz recommends understanding and clearly defining the "why," so that companies implement tech with a goal of finding actionable solutions to a real problem.

Why this matters: AI offers plenty of potential in trucking and logistics, but only if it's fixing actual challenges, rather than being technology for technology's sake. Fleet owners who take the time to define pain points before adopting solutions can address their problems in a more targeted way, even if the process takes a little longer at the front end. (Mexico Business News)

FAST LANE

LOW POINT: Class 8 truck sales lowest of the year amid freight recession

UNFILLED JOBS: Small biz reports trucks sitting with no one to drive

CROSS-BORDER: English proficiency, tariffs dent cross-border freight

CALIF. LICENSE: Assemblymember calls for DMV to stop "racially motivated" CDL revocations

JOB CUT: FedEx will shutter logistics facility, lay off 800+ employees

YES VOTE: Amazon CDL drivers become first tractor-trailer workers within the company to unionize

SEEN & HEARD

"I think the best case scenario is we finish this year out right where we were at the end of '24." —Jason Miller, Supply Chain Management Professor at Michigan State University

On the podcast 10-44 by Commercial Carrier Journal, Miller explains the state of the economy, consumer sentiment, housing markets and why 2025 hasn't panned out to be a strong year for trucking. (Commercial Carrier Journal)

ROAD REPORT

Small fleet prioritizes truck, tech investments for success

For Silchuk Transport, long-term success is all about investing in the business. CEO Andrey Silchuk has equipped his fleet with new Volvo trucks and cutting-edge safety tech. According to the CEO, those investments help the fleet project a positive and professional image, which helps attract both customers and drivers to the company.

Why this matters: Silchuk's approach is no doubt expensive at the upstart. But making investments that compel drivers and customers to work with the fleet gives the motor carrier a competitive advantage—and likely an ROI in the long run. (Heavy Duty Trucking)

AGENDA

FMCSA to survey truck drivers about parking

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration plans to poll thousands of drivers about their habits and experience with truck parking. The survey will help FMCSA gauge several points, including how many trucks are parked on average each day, how often truckers stop driving early or go off route to find parking and how many drivers reserve or pay for parking.

Why this matters: Truck parking is a well-documented issue for drivers. While many private organizations have studied the dearth of spaces, the government will now assess the state of the issue, along with the most cost-effective methods to increase truck parking. But when we actually see more parking spots is anyone's guess. (FreightWaves)