First look: Some US LTL indicators at TFI International turn higher
Freight Waves John Kingston February 17, 2026
On the positive side, the U.S. LTL’s adjusted operating ratio (OR) improved year-over-year to 95.3% from 97.3%. The average weight per shipment, another area that CEO Alain Bedard has said has been a target for improvement, rose to 1,284 pounds from 1,227, a gain of 4.6%.
Link: TFI International Investor Presentation Fourth Quarter 2025
Truckload Rates on the Rise
Cass Transportation Index Report February 17, 2026
The freight economy continues to grow, and the for-hire recovery will begin when private fleet capacity, which has been in contraction since 2025, becomes tight. This did just happen, in fact, but the real test will be during softer seasonal periods like March and April.
Fleets are getting excited that the long-awaited recovery is here. Even 2% contract rate increases are a relief after four years of nothing or worse. While near-term reversion from the weather may slow the trend, we expect tighter capacity to lead to moderate truckload rate increases in 2026.
TL rates up again without help from volume
Freight Waves Todd Maiden February 17, 2026
“Fleets are getting excited that the long-awaited recovery is here,” the report said. “Even 2% contract rate increases are a relief after four years of nothing or worse. While near-term reversion from the weather may slow the trend, we expect tighter capacity to lead to moderate truckload rate increases in 2026.”
Dry van report: Capacity shrink drives up freight rates despite low volumes
DAT Freight & Analytics Dean Croke February 17, 2026
Following the passing of Winter Storms Fern and Gianna, the East Coast freight network experienced improved conditions last week. This allowed for an increase in capacity and a decrease in rates. Nationally, the 7-day average dry van linehaul spot rate dropped $0.02 per mile last week, settling at $2.06 per mile.
The current rate is notably higher than previous years, $0.42 (26%) higher year-over-year. Excluding the pandemic years, it also exceeds the 5-year average by $0.46 (22%).
UPS’ 2026 closures will hit Atlanta, Dallas, other cities across US
Supply Chain Dive Max Garland February 17, 2026
In 2026, UPS plans to cut up to 30,000 operational positions and close 24 buildings in the year’s first half as a result of its network rightsizing efforts, EVP and CFO Brian Dykes said in January.
Chicago Interchange Overtakes Longstanding New Jersey Intersection as Worst Freight Bottleneck
Heavy Duty Trucking February 17, 2026
A Chicago interchange for the first time was named the most congested freight bottleneck in the country, according to the American Transportation Research Institute.
Link: American Transportation Research Institute Top 100 Truck Bottlenecks – 2026
Perspective: Restoring Integrity Is Key to Trucking’s Future
Transport Topics Greg Hodgen February 17, 2026
What Spear described isn’t just a safety crisis — it’s an economic one. When unqualified drivers and noncompliant operators enter the market, they create shadow capacity that distorts supply-demand conditions. That excess supply intensified the freight recession our industry has been enduring for years, depressing rates and squeezing the carriers that play by the rules.
Big Tech meets Big Oil: Self-driving trucks roar into the Permian Basin
E&E News Politico Mike Lee February 18, 2026
The Permian Basin is home to America’s most productive oil field, but soon the region could earn another distinction — as a testing ground for self-driving trucks.
What language will autonomous truck drivers speak?
CCJ Rick Mihelic February 16, 2026
There are a lot of questions being opened up with respect to autonomous trucking. The technology to do it is probably the least challenging. What is obvious in both the automotive and commercial truck worlds, is that AVs are coming. The desire to get humans out of the driver’s seat is real and like the old Greyhound jingle, let the AV do the driving.
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