Business: Page 28

Who is hauling all the cheap freight -- and why?

With national rate averages hovering around just $2/mile, and plenty loads offered closer to $1.50/mile, the question any owner-op perusing the load boards is thinking: "Who hauls this stuff, why, and how can they afford to?"

May 15, 2024

Speed Motion Blur Night Truck On Highway

Spot rates following fuel prices down, but Roadcheck rebound expected

Diesel's national average almost fell to a 2024 low last week, but spot market rates dropped, too. Roadcheck should bring some relief on that front. Also: Federal emissions reductions funding renewed; OOIDA's Truckers for Troops ongoing.

May 14, 2024

Truck Stop Fueling

Sponsor Content

Overdrive's Partners in Business - The leading business training program for owner-operators.

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Overdrive's Partners in Business - The leading business training program for owner-operators.

March 24, 2025

Overdrive's Partners in Business - The leading business training program for owner-operators.

Overdrive Radio

A short leash on long-term stability, profit: Trucker of the Month Gary Schloo

Owner-operator Schloo's been on the road for more than a half century, a majority of that time as a business owner. His history makes clear huge value in his cost-conscious approach for insurance against failure, and his steady hand at success.

May 13, 2024

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Survey shows signs of optimism for spot market

Truckstop and Bloomberg conducted a survey of owner-ops and small fleets, who had a more encouraging outlook on the market than in the previous quarter. Also: New NTP warranty covers electronic components, systems; fleet owner charged with tax evasion.

May 9, 2024

truck backed to dock

Questions surround liability insurance hike in New Jersey

The state is doubling the liability insurance minimum required effective July 1, but its applicability to out-of-state carriers is uncertain. Also: Can we get a Spring freight season?; FMCSA denies request for under-21 pilot program flexibility; more.

May 8, 2024

New Jersey welcome sign at night

Bill would put new monitoring on USPS trucking contractors | I-17 closures, detour info

Bill sponsors said USPS needs more oversight over contractors following reports of fatalities, injuries. The bill's reporting requirement raises redundancy questions with the CSA SMS. Also: FMCSA extends Baltimore emergency; I-17 closures upcoming.

May 7, 2024

Decline in loads, shipper spend drives freight markets lower

U.S. Bank reported a significant contraction in freight during the first quarter of 2024, both on a quarterly and annual level. Also: FMCSA looking to incorporate new CVSA handbook into regs by reference; TA accepting new fuel card.

May 2, 2024

U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index Q12024

Fuel prices, mostly flat in 2024, dip below $4/gallon, and spot rates follow them down

Diesel's average price has been floating near $4 for most of the year, and recently fell below the threshold; spot rates followed fuel down. Also: Free pre-Roadcheck inspections next week; I-15 bridge reopens; new carrier-recognition program from TCA.

May 1, 2024

trucks at fuel island

Partners in Business

The problem with 'work-life balance' OTR for small business owners

There are a seemingly infinite number of little things day-to-day that will engender real respect from customers you serve. Solidify your stature, and you'll gain more control over all aspects of your business, including time for those back home.

May 1, 2024

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Trucker of the Year

Effective insurance, exacting analysis deliver Trucker of the Month's success

With 30-plus years of small business behind him, Gary Schloo is the kind of owner-operator who can tell you at any time what his overall cost-per-mile is, down to the cent -- likewise what portion of that is tied up in fuel, tires, brakes, you name it.

April 30, 2024

Gary Schloo's 2014 Peterbilt 386

Trucking's 'bloodbath': Did brokers or carriers take the biggest hit?

Data and no shortage of anecdote show it's been a tough market for motor carriers these last two years. Yet despite many hurdles and handicaps asset-heavy carriers face, they're still doing better on the whole than brokers.

April 29, 2024

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Overdrive Radio

'Hey shippers, we're out here': Post-Convoy collapse, small fleet on long haul for change

Part 2 of this Overdrive Radio podcast talk with small fleet owner Surinder Gill follows on the collapse of the Convoy brokerage, Gill's former principal partner for freight, and his new resolve to be there for change in shippers' approach to carriers.

April 29, 2024

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FMCSA, police investigate double broker's odd inspections history

Maroon Express Inc., a revoked carrier authority/double broker under investigation within FMCSA, has one clean inspection on their record associated with a truck that got inspected three times in four days, operating under different DOT numbers each time.

April 25, 2024

Carrier failures have "declined mostly steadily, but they are still higher than seen before the pandemic"

Even with the large number of carrier failures, the market still has 94,000 more for-hire carriers than it did immediately before the pandemic.

April 25, 2024

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Overdrive Extra

Ditch the dime-a-dozen approach to drivers: Carriers need value-attitude adjustment

After a talk with a rookie truck driver fed up with wasted time, empty miles and so much more, Clifford Petersen got to thinking about "value." Truckers need to make it a bedrock principle that their time is valued. It's costing carriers, drivers dearly.

April 24, 2024

Truck Trailer On Highway From Below Bridge

New Outpost company aims to deliver on parking shortage, small fleet growth

Today, the Semi-Stow truck parking/terminal facilities company, with sites across the U.S. South, West and elsewhere, rebranded as Outpost. The move follows an infusion of investment and plans to expand its network of sites short-term.

April 23, 2024

Outpost yard in Houston

Convoy's unpaid carriers finally settling with Hercules Capital?

After Convoy's stunning collapse, and it's resurrection under Flexport, one trucking debt collection agency says some small percent of relief might be on the way for the dozens of unpaid carriers.

April 22, 2024

Overdrive Radio

Larger broker, larger bond: Should surety requirement vary by size?

This Overdrive Radio podcast features small fleet owner Surinder Gill, owed $35,000 by the failed Convoy broker despite efforts to recoup the money. Given his claims alone were nearly half of the $75K broker bond, he suggests new regulatory approach.

April 22, 2024

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Page 28 of 1358

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Overdrive's Pride & Polish: Vote for your favorite rigs today

Cast your vote through Nov. 30 for the best truck in each of five categories: Antique, Interior, Limited Mileage, Working Bobtail, and Working Combo.

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DOT reveals the real reason it's pushing out 200,000 non-domiciled CDL drivers

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Roadside war stories, camaraderie, ownership advice: Small Fleet Champs deliver

Indiana-headquartered owner-operator John Penn is making a name for himself amongst his peers for a drive to excel in fuel efficiency and management of customer relationships for steady business. Penn is the October Trucker of the Month, putting him in the running for Overdrive's 2025 Trucker of the Year award.

Trucker of the Month John Penn reaps 10-mpg-plus rewards of two decades learning, growing

Howes

Howes

Roadside war stories, camaraderie, ownership advice: Small Fleet Champs deliver

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