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Contract rates are surging at record levels. But one expert warns that fleet execs can’t just sit back and let the freight market do its thing. Keep reading for what he recommends instead.
Plus, we’re sharing the business models behind some of the fastest-growing logistics companies.
And this Thursday, our expert Q&A reveals a potential gap in your recruiting and customer acquisition strategy—and how to fill it.
Before we get rolling, check out this post from the Calif. Highway Patrol, which stopped a truck that was speeding, overweight, unregistered, uninsured and operating without authority. Were they going for violation bingo?!
⬆️ $5.454
AVG. COST OF DIESEL PER GALLON IN U.S. AS OF 08/17, UP 0.197¢
ROADSIDE READS
Top 10. A handy list of fleet management tools, specifically designed to help small businesses.
Bucking the trend. A few logistics companies have grown at an astronomical pace, even during the recent freight recession. Read about the business models sustaining these organizations’ growth.
Large carriers’ competitive advantage. Execs at big trucking companies are touting their upper hand following the Supreme Court’s decision around broker liability. Here’s what they’re saying.
45 years in biz. Meet Elton Wek, the owner of a small fleet who received the 2026 Wheel Jam Truck Show Lifetime Achievement Award for his trucking legacy.
Should I upgrade? This guide explains the difference between dash cams and AI fleet safety cameras—and helps you decide if the new tech is worth the upgrade. (sponsored)
INDUSTRY VOICES
Take the wheel on your business expenses
Pun 100% intended. The good news is that freight rates are rising. But so are the expenses of running a fleet—including fuel, maintenance and labor costs, not to mention the macro environment with interest rates and tariffs.
“Even in this market upturn, you cannot expect to grow without taking a hard look at your expenses,” writes Dave Beaudry, director of logistics engineering and consulting for NationaLease.
His advice: closely examine every single dollar. Does your equipment match demand, and have you recently analyzed driver compensation?
Why this matters: There’s rarely a moment to just coast when running a trucking business. Even when rates are strengthening, it’s still worth looking at costs and weeding out the waste. The exercise can strengthen margins in strong markets and weak ones. (CCJ)
FAST LANE
DOUBLE DOWN: Cargo thefts down, but value of stolen goods more than doubled
RECORD GAINS: Van, reefer contract rates mark record increase as capacity shrinks
UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS: Uber Freight investigates data breach, says no impact to ops
AUTO LOADING: FedEx deploys robotic arm to help load trailer
TO SELL? Trimble garners buyer interest for $549M transportation segment
LEGAL REFORM: Five lawmakers introduce bill to curb frivolous lawsuits
SEEN & HEARD
From a supply chain revenue perspective, that revenue has longevity, as I don't see the demand for data center capacity diminishing even into 2030, 2035.”
As data center construction continues to grow, so does the network needed to support those projects. Logistics plays a critical role—trucks haul the freight needed to build and run data centers, from tiny chips to industrial-sized chillers. This could be a lucrative market for motor carriers, with sustained revenue for another decade. (FreightWaves)
YOUR TAKE
Should commercial truck drivers be permitted to use hands-free mobile devices while operating a vehicle?
ROAD REPORT
Freight rates are up, jobs are down—what’s going on?
History says, when freight rates go up, so do trucking jobs. But today, that’s not happening. Regulatory enforcement, like English proficiency and cracking down on CDL mills, is wiping out some jobs. Plus, carrier exits are a big driving force behind the rising rates.
Why this matters: Taken together, these numbers are a clear sign that the freight market is rebounding because of capacity shrinkage, not rising demand. For those still surviving in the trucking sector, more work and higher rates are becoming reality. But it may not be as easy for an outsider to break into the industry right now. (Land Line Media)
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The Inside Lane is curated and written by Shefali Kapadia, and edited by Bianca Prieto.
