And carriers are tired of losing money going to deadhead markets. The West (worst coast as we called it) Coast, Florida, and northeast all have that reputation and with the slowing economy in those regions why lose money deliberately. Rates will have to come up.
— RealJohnGaltFLA (@RealJohnGaltFla) June 5, 2025
YoY trucking volumes are down 11% pic.twitter.com/smqTlOe4LS
— Craig Fuller 🛩🚛🚂⚓️ (@FreightAlley) June 5, 2025
Trucking capacity is disappearing, and the numbers don’t lie. Tender rejections are up 33% year-over-year, while freight volumes have dropped 11%. This signals a major shift in the industry, as carriers exit the market at a rapid pace.
Despite lower shipment volumes, rejection rates remain high. Fewer trucks are available, tightening supply and leaving shippers scrambling. The latest data from FreightWaves SONAR confirms a downward trend in trucking volume, reinforcing concerns that the industry is losing capacity faster than demand is falling.
Operators across the country are pulling out of trucking altogether. Smaller carriers, unable to sustain profitability, are shutting down. Larger fleets are downsizing, adjusting to weaker freight demand and unstable fuel prices. Every exit drains supply further, amplifying pressure on remaining carriers.
The economy is teetering on uncertainty. Inflation pressures, labor shortages, and shifting regulations are reshaping logistics. If demand suddenly rebounds, capacity shortages will spike spot market rates, leaving shippers in a scramble for available trucks.
Sources:
https://www.ryantrans.com/february-2025-industry-update-truckload-supply