Trucking news and briefs for Monday, March 17, 2025:
Trucking market conditions declined in January
Market conditions for trucking companies in January tumbled, with FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index falling into negative territory for the first time since September.
FTR’s TCI reading for January fell to -2.56, which was almost the exact opposite of December’s +2.67 reading.
Higher diesel prices and weak freight rates, volume and utilization resulted in unfavorable overall market conditions for carriers in January, the firm said. The only positive contributor to the index in January was cost of capital, although freight volume and truck utilization were only minor negatives.
“January proved to be tough for carriers, as we anticipated,” said Avery Vise, FTR’s vice president of trucking. “Although we still forecast an improving market for trucking companies in the months ahead, we remain very concerned that the great uncertainty introduced by tariffs -- and especially the lack of clarity over scope and timing -- will chill activity and investments that drive freight demand.”
Vise added that FTR doesn’t see anything on the horizon “for further significant declines in capacity, so carriers will need stronger volumes to tighten the market and set the stage for stronger freight rates.”
[Related: What's a single mpg worth at today's rates? 3 mpg?]
Signs in the spot market have been improving since January, at least, with volumes rising and average rates finally cracking 2024 numbers in the last week, according to FTR and Truckstop's weekly spot market update.
At once, the picture for spot freight was mixed overall as van rates sunk again yet gains were seen for flatbed haulers. Dig into the details via this link.Truckstop/FTR
Used-truck sales improved in February
Used Class 8 truck sales in February grew over January’s numbers, with a 7.9% increase overall according to preliminary numbers published by ACT Research.
Same dealer used truck retail sales volumes in February were up 12% over January, ACT reported, while auction sales were up 2.2% from January. Wholesale transactions were down 4.9% year-over-year, ACT added.
In addition to retail sales volumes being up from January, pricing on those trucks was flat despite a 2% increase in average mileage and a 2% decrease in average age compared to trucks sold in January.ACT Research
Tam credited “the stalwart nature of truckers” for the gains seen in February, noting that the gain was “also somewhat counterintuitive considering all the economic and political uncertainty they are currently facing.”
In addition to retail sales volumes being up from January, pricing on those trucks was flat despite a 2% increase in average mileage and a 2% decrease in average age compared to trucks sold in January.
[Related: Have freight markets turned? ATBS update set for March 25]
Trucker Path integrates real-time traffic conditions into app
Trucker Path announced it has added the DOT 511 Traffic Network to the live navigation features the app provides to truck drivers.
“With the addition of DOT 511 feeds to the Trucker Path app, our live mapping is just as strong, if not stronger, than popular consumer apps that don’t provide truck-specific navigation,” said Chris Oliver, CMO at Trucker Path.
Oliver added that with the integration of the feeds, Trucker Path users “can now see real-time footage of traffic congestion, plus live construction and crash information throughout the U.S. With the DOT 511 feeds, users not only know what lies ahead, but also have the option of selecting alternate routes.”
DOT 511 is a nationwide service that provides real-time information about travel conditions, road closures and restrictions, weather-related closures, crashes and construction.
[Related: Real-time road conditions via Overdrive's Roads 511 X/Twitter list]
