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_050525May 5, 2025

Van spot rates rise while flatbed spot rates decline again

Broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop system were flat overall during the week ended May 2 (week 17), but rates for van equipment moved higher. Dry van spot rates rose for the first time in four weeks while refrigerated spot rates posted their largest increase of 2025 so far. The gains were seasonally expected rates, especially in refrigerated, as van rates usually rise in the two weeks before Mother’s Day. Flatbed recorded its first back-to-back rate decreases since the first two weeks of the year.

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

Freight Market Outlook: Why “Neutral” Doesn’t Mean “Normal” for Shippers
Freight Market Outlook: Why “Neutral” Doesn’t Mean “Normal” for Shippers
by Avery Vise, VP of Trucking
Explore why a near-neutral Shippers Conditions Index signals a need for strategic reevaluation and how tariffs are reshaping the freight market landscape.
April Ends Like a Fading Mushroom: Big Growth Questions Ahead
April Ends Like a Fading Mushroom: Big Growth Questions Ahead
by FTR Analysts
April's economic turbulence reveals deeper trends that could shape 2025, with tariffs, inflation, and consumer behavior driving uncertainty.
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.

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