STATE OF FREIGHT TODAY

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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 - October 27, 2025

Total rates_102725 (1)

Spot rates barely change again in the latest week

Broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop.com system were mixed but – like the previous week – did not change much for any of the principal equipment types during the week ended October 24 (week 42). Dry van spot rates declined slightly after a small gain in the prior week. Both refrigerated and flatbed spot rates increased but only marginally so. Refrigerated rates have risen in four straight weeks, but the size of those increases has fallen steadily. Rates continue to move mostly seasonally.

View this week's full commentary

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.

Listen now

FTR_FSA webinar_Oct 2025_v2 Watch Recording

Tariffs. Capacity. Driver supply. What’s next for food shippers in 2026? Watch the replay of our webinar for the answers.

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RU graphic for web pages

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

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Most Recent Orders & Indices

Class 8-01

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.

Truck Orders
TrailerOrders_image

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.

 

Trailer Orders
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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.

 

Trucking Conditions
New SCI (1413 × 730 px)

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.

Shippers Conditions

State of Freight TODAY Articles

New Mexican Regulation Adds Complexity for Petroleum Shippers as Rail Traffic Edges Higher

New Mexican Regulation Adds Complexity for Petroleum Shippers as Rail Traffic Edges Higher

by Joseph Towers, Sr. Analyst, Rail
FTR’s Joseph Towers examines new Mexican export regulations and October rail traffic trends, with carloads up 1.5% and intermodal down 0.8%.
Read the article
Read the article
Trailer Orders Climb in September, but Market Remains Under Pressure

Trailer Orders Climb in September, but Market Remains Under Pressure

by Dan Moyer, Sr. Analyst, Commerical Vehicles
U.S. trailer orders climbed in September, but the market remains under pressure due to economic and policy uncertainties, driving cautious investment and production adjustments.
Read the article
Read the article
English Language Proficiency Enforcement Is Not Accelerating - Yet

English Language Proficiency Enforcement Is Not Accelerating - Yet

by Avery Vise, VP of Trucking
FMCSA’s new English Language Proficiency enforcement is changing the face of the trucking workforce. FTR’s latest analysis reveals how 20,000 drivers could be impacted — and which states are enforcing the rule most aggressively.
Read the article
Read the article

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