STATE OF FREIGHT TODAY

Your source for  complimentary industry content from FTR

Whether you prefer to read updates, listen to podcasts, or take in the most recent webinar, this page is the source for complimentary FTR content covering everything associated with the commercial freight industry.  

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Truckstop & FTR Spot Pressure Heat Map

Load Volumes & Spot Rates

Learn more about the TruckStop & FTR U.S. Spot Pressure Heatmap at this knowledgebase article:
https://help.ftrintel.com/knowledge/faq-spot-pressure-heatmaps

Spot Market Insights

Total loads_042825April 28, 2025

Spot rates decline for all equipment types in the latest week

Broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop system decreased for all equipment types during the week ended April 25 (week 16) as flatbed spot rates declined for the first time in 11 weeks. Dry van spot rates remained above their level in June 2020 but only by less than 1 cent. Refrigerated spot rates were down after the prior week’s sharp increase. Total load postings increased after two weeks of sharp decreases due mostly to flatbed, suggesting that a likely distortion related to tariffs has faded for now.

Trucking & Rail Updates from FTR

Updated weekly with downloadable slide decks

TMU _Avery_ Podcast Graphics - Updated 5.28.24

Updated weekly on Tuesday, FTR's Avery Vise provides timely updates on key trucking topics moving the market.

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Navigate the Shifting Economic Landscape with Confidence. Join us for this complimentary webinar.

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Updated biweekly on Fridays, FTR's Joseph Towers provides timely updates on rail topics moving the market.

Most Recent Orders & Indices

Class 8 Orders


New class 8 truck orders are normally a leading indicator of the state of the economy. Follow our preliminary order updates to understand the direction of the economy and commercial vehicle production.

Trailer Orders


Strong freight demand dictates the need for new trailers. Follow our preliminary trailer orders to monitor the underlying health of freight and track the demand for new equipment.

 

Trucking Conditions Index

This exclusive FTR metric combines millions of data points known to influence truck fleet behavior to provide one index measuring the industry's health.

 

Shippers Conditions Index

This exclusive FTR metric combines millions of transportation data points into one index to help shippers understand rate pressure across the industry.

State of Freight TODAY Articles

Class 8 Truck Orders Hit Post-Pandemic Low Amid Tariff Uncertainty and Economic Headwinds
Class 8 Truck Orders Hit Post-Pandemic Low Amid Tariff Uncertainty and Economic Headwinds
by Dan Moyer, Sr. Analyst, Commerical Vehicles
Class 8 truck orders in North America hit a post-pandemic low due to tariff tensions, economic uncertainty, and regulatory risks, signaling broader industry challenges.
From Mental Health to Market Intelligence: A Conversation with FTR’s COO, Jami Sargent
From Mental Health to Market Intelligence: A Conversation with FTR’s COO, Jami Sargent
by Eric Starks, Chairman of the Board
An insightful conversation with Jami Sargent on her journey to FTR, data analysis, and solving business challenges.
English Proficiency by the Numbers: A Look at Today’s Truck Driver Enforcement
English Proficiency by the Numbers: A Look at Today’s Truck Driver Enforcement
by Avery Vise, VP of Trucking
Explore how reinstating English proficiency requirements as out-of-service violations may impact trucking capacity and operations, based on data and insights from industry expert Avery Vise.

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