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 - March 2, 2026

Total rates_030226

Spot rates remain quite elevated in the latest week

Overall broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop.com system rose notably during the week ended February 27 (week 8) as rates for both flatbed and dry van equipment moved higher and refrigerated rates posted their smallest decrease since the 45-cent spike in week 4. Spot rates for all three principal segments were quite strong versus the same week last year. The latest week included some strength linked to a winter storm in the Northeast, but weather will become an increasingly insignificant factor. 

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.

Jan 2026 Replay_SOF Today Webpage

Get ahead of 2026 with a clear, data-backed look at the economic, trade, and freight shifts that will shape your strategy. 

2025 RMU Podcast -SOF Today

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

Five Freight Signals to Watch Right Now

Five Freight Signals to Watch Right Now

by FTR Analysts
Discover the five key freight signals shaping the current market, indicating stabilization rather than contraction. Learn about cost pressures, lean inventories, revenue trends, and more.
Trucking Revenues Rebound as Spot Market Stays Elevated

Trucking Revenues Rebound as Spot Market Stays Elevated

by FTR Analysts
Discover the latest trends in trucking revenues, diesel prices, spot market conditions, and economic indicators shaping the freight industry in early 2026.
Employment Data Reset: What the Benchmark Revision Says About the Economy and Trucking Capacity

Employment Data Reset: What the Benchmark Revision Says About the Economy and Trucking Capacity

by Avery Vise, VP of Trucking
Discover the impact of the latest BLS benchmark revision on national employment and trucking capacity, revealing a softer economy and tighter freight markets.

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