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Can you afford to lose another driver?
With a shortfall of around 174,000 drivers expected by the end of 2026, every driver you keep counts. Ford Super Duty gives your crew a truck they can count on, with two years of complimentary maintenance included. See how it can help keep your team on the road.
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You’re not imagining it: diesel price hikes really do hit small motor carriers harder than large trucking fleets. We’re looking at the big reasons why, and one trucking area where prices aren’t spiking.
Plus, ATRI calls for motor carrier feedback on costs, and TCA wants your nominations for the best drivers.
And before we get going, a funny logistics meme! Have you ever been in this awkward scenario?
⬆️ $6.352
AVG. COST OF DIESEL PER GALLON IN U.S. AS OF 10/26, UP 0.076¢
ROADSIDE READS
A trucking cycle we haven’t seen before. An explainer on why today’s freight market recovery is so different, and how long it may last.
Revenue and expenses. One trucking owner walks through the numbers of what his business makes and the biggest expenses. The 3-truck, power-only operation grossed more than $20,000 in revenue in one week.
Old meets new. An interesting article explores how the trucking industry’s traditional values can mesh with modern-day workflows and technology.
Best in class. Nominations are open for the Truckload Carriers Association’s Professional Drivers of the Year program. Details + the link to nominate a driver here.
Survey says! Help us to improve The Inside Lane by taking this short survey.
Sponsored by Ford
The driver shortage isn’t going anywhere
The U.S. is on track to be around 174,000 drivers short by the end of 2026, and large carriers are already seeing turnover of 90% or more. Keeping the drivers you have matters more than ever, and a truck they can rely on is part of that. Ford Super Duty is built to do its job so your drivers can do theirs.
Named the top mainstream brand in J.D. Power’s 2026 quality study
Backed by two years of complimentary Premium Maintenance, zero deductible
Ford Pro Mobile Service brings maintenance to the job, so drivers aren’t left waiting
See how Ford Super Duty can help you keep your drivers on the road.
INDUSTRY VOICES
Three reasons diesel prices hit small carriers the hardest
Two years ago, filling up a 300-gallon tank cost about $1,000. Today? It’s more than $1,800.
Small carriers feel this squeeze more than trucking companies of any size. SMBs often have to wait 60+ days to receive payment from brokers or shippers, according to Chris Caplice, chief scientist at DAT Freight & Analytics.
“Floating this much money for several months is tough for any firm. It is especially hard on small fleets,” Caplice said.
Why this matters: Fuel is an enormous line item. For some small fleets, it’s as much as 50% of total operating costs. Between cash flow struggles, spot market dependence and aging equipment that’s less fuel-efficient, it’s not just in your head. Prices at the pump really are extra painful for small motor carriers. (Medium)
You might also be interested in our latest Q&A: What a school bus fleet taught us about diesel
YOUR TAKE
FAST LANE
LONG WAIT: Truck dwell times tick up at Ports of L.A., Long Beach
BALANCE SHEET: Capacity constraints, stronger freight volumes boost Heartland Express to $1M net income
RAIL BOOST: Railroads report higher profits citing higher fuel costs, fewer available trucks
TMS SALE: Cold-chain provider Lineage sells its transportation management system
SAY CHEESE: Trucker protest in Italy halts supply chain and production of buffalo mozzarella
SEEN & HEARD
There's so many different elements to the human side of trucking. There's much more to trucking than the truck. So that's the gap that I want to fill.”
Warner, a long-haul truck driver, has written a children’s book chronicling a story of two dogs who search a busy truck stop for a lost toy. Her goal—help children understand the world of trucking, and the people and places that keep America moving. She talks more about her journey as a trucker and the inspiration for the book on this podcast ➡️ (That’s Delivered)
ROAD REPORT
Inflation for truck parts is slowing down
While heavy-duty truck parts no doubt cost more today than a few years ago, inflation is cooling. Prices moderated to a 1% YOY increase in September, according to online marketplace FinditParts. The data also suggest distributors aren’t passing along the full cost increases from manufacturers to fleets.
Why this matters: With overall inflation above 3%, a price hike of just 1% could provide some relief to trucking companies. That said, there’s typically a few months lag before manufacturing increases hit distributors, which means fleets could see more price pressure ahead. The takeaway: if you need parts, it may be wise to buy them now, before prices spike back up. (CCJ Digital)
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The Inside Lane is curated and written by Shefali Kapadia and edited by Bianca Prieto.
