spot market rates

Spot freight is the wild card of trucking that offers flexibility, fast solutions, and sometimes, unexpected windfalls. But is it a viable long-term strategy, or just a short-term fix for supply chain disruptions?

This article breaks down how spot freight works, what determines its pricing, and why shippers turn to it instead of contract freight. While it provides an immediate solution for last-minute loads and market shifts, it also comes with financial unpredictability. Learn how businesses can strategically use spot freight to complement their shipping strategy while maximizing opportunities and minimizing risks.

The FMCSA plans an online survey to determine driver seat belt usage after recent data shows an increase in fatalities from unrestrained drivers.

On Wednesday the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) released a report that examined causes and impacts of predatory heavy-duty towing. The report defined predatory towing in which “a T&R [towing and recovery] company egregiously overcharges, illegally seizes assets, damages assets by use of improper equipment, or illegitimately withholds release of a truck, trailer, and/or cargo.”

The trucking business is often cyclical, and understanding the changes in profitability is a great barometer for the general macroeconomic outlook.

FreightWaves Market Expert Zach Strickland speaks with Associate Editor JP Hampstead about this week’s rate changes as we enter peak season and Thanksgiving.