Used truck prices are rising, driver turnover is a mixed bag, and brokers seem to be seeing more spot rate increases than carriers 🤨. The latest numbers, plus tips to stop money-draining unplanned downtime.

And believe it or not, someone actually put in an order for hundreds of Tesla Semis.

Before we get moving, have you seen this wild story? A mystery trucker stopped a motorist who was driving the wrong way on the interstate—then vanished à la Spider-Man before anyone could thank him!

AVG. COST OF DIESEL PER GALLON IN U.S. AS OF 08/24, UP 0.198¢

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

How to avoid violations. It’s Brake Safety Week. This video reveals how troopers pick which trucks to pull over for inspection—and how you make sure your drivers aren’t in violation.

Google Maps for trucks. That crazy route suggesting your driver take a windy road with low bridge clearances—no longer. Google just launched a large vehicle routing platform that considers vehicle dimensions and road regulations in its route plans.

The state of turnover. Check out the latest facts and figures on monthly and annual driver turnover. But maybe the more important discussion is, why are drivers leaving, and how do fleets fix it?

Wave of job cuts. Layoffs and facility closures so far this month have affected more than 7,000 workers across freight and supply chain. This tracker breaks down the details at companies like FedEx, Daimler, Ryder and more.

Trucking for good. A local fleet in Wisconsin is delivering donations and relief supplies after a tornado swept through the area.

Repairing or replacing can be costly. But what’s even more expensive? Not running your trucks. In this interview, Slaymaker shares tips to minimize downtime and how to find the sweet spot of when to trade in your aging trucks. (Commercial Carrier Journal)

Get ready for higher used truck and tractor costs

Prices for used trucks already rose about 5% in the first half of this year. And Ryder System CEO John Diez predicts the prices will rise another 10% next year.

The reason isn’t that carriers are expanding their fleets or that new companies are joining the industry. Instead, carriers have delayed spending and finally need to replace equipment.

”You are seeing the early innings of a recovery of used vehicle sales,” he said. “We have a lot more people buying into used equipment.”

Why this matters: If you delayed replacing trucks in your fleet, you’re in the same boat as many other fleet executives. Used truck prices are already rising—and it might be prudent to make a purchase before costs rise even more next year. (Transport Topics)

COURT BLOCK: Federal judge says DOT, DHS must pause collection of CDL driver data

ALARM BELL: Truck safety groups push back on fleets’ HOS exemption requests

JOINED FORCES: RoadOne Intermodal acquires Higgins Transport Service

FASTER FREIGHT: Saia to cut five-day service to four days on key lanes

BANKRUPTCY TREND: 3 trucking fleets file Ch. 11, business bankruptcies rise 17%

NEW HONCHO: FMCSA names chief safety officer, previously with Covenant and Calif. Highway Patrol

ORDER UP: Freight tech company Einride plans to order 500 Tesla Semi trucks

Volumes up but cash flow an open question

In a survey by Truckstop.com and Bloomberg Intelligence, more than 80% of brokers said spot rates increased in the first half of the year. But where is the money going? By comparison, just 49% of carriers said revenue per mile was up compared to last year, and 44% said they could operate for less than a month if payments stopped.

Why this matters: While both entities are seeing a market uptick, the data reveals a divide between the earnings of brokers and carriers. Are carriers getting their fair share, can they manage expenses like fuel and insurance to keep cash flowing, and will market growth eventually translate into bigger bottom lines for fleets? Only time—and balance sheets—will tell. (The Trucker)

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The Inside Lane is curated and written by Shefali Kapadia and edited by Bianca Prieto.