Episode 153 Show Notes

Episode 153 Show Notes

DAT. Trucking Industry Trends

Freight rates are surging in 2026 as capacity tightens across the board. Spot truckload rates have climbed above contract rates for the first time since 2021, with year-over-year gains hitting 16 to 27 percent in key segments. Tender rejection rates have spiked past 15 percent, the highest level since early 2022, signaling carriers are turning down freight in search of better-paying loads.

A perfect storm is driving this shift. After years of freight recession, thousands of trucking companies folded in 2025, with estimates of 5,000 to 8,000 carriers exiting the market. This shakeout removed excess capacity that had kept rates suppressed.

Now, a returning driver shortage — the first in four years — is compounding the crunch. The American Trucking Associations pegs the current shortfall around 82,000 drivers. On top of that, the federal government is tightening the screws on non-domiciled CDL holders. A new FMCSA rule effective March 2026 limits these licenses mainly to H-2A, H-2B, and E-2 visa holders, potentially phasing out up to 194,000 drivers over the next five years. Many of these foreign drivers operated under looser rules before, and regulators cite safety concerns, including fatal crashes linked to unvetted operators.

The result? Less capacity meeting steady or growing freight demand means higher rates for shippers and better margins for the carriers that survived the downturn. This tightening market is expected to keep upward pressure on freight prices through the year.

THE CAN OPENER CONTINUES

BoulderFreeZone
MOD •

The harvest shall be bountiful this year!
Follow the tally courtesy of OP: https://www.reddit.com/r/Louisville/comments/1tuoris/comment/opawo6w/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Low_Search_6667
OP •

CAN OPENER TOTAL SO FAR: 18 
Average: 1.5 meals per day
Monday 06/01/26
1. box truck
2. semi trailer
3. semi trailer ITF group
4. Unknown semi according to WDRB  news report. 
Tuesday 06/02/26

5. JIT500 semi
6. RV
   Wednesday 06/03/26
7. Semi trailer BNX
8. Box truck (and an SUV that rear ended the box truck. Does this o e count?)
9. UPS semi
   Thursday 6/4/26
10. RV impact that left debris in road
11. Box truck
    6/5/26
12. Semi
    6/7/26. 
13. Penske box truck
    6/9/26
14. Semi
15. Semi
    6/10/26
16. Box truck. Full top removal.
    6/12/26
17. Phoenix cargo semi
    6/13/26
18. Swift semi ~ 3AM

rcastil90

• Can you add a period after each number so it reads as a numbered list and not as four semis today? People are confused.

dlc12830

• EDIT: Thank you for adding periods behind the tally numbers. As I watch this enraptured, it helps me.
  This needs to be shared: https://www.reddit.com/r/Louisville/comments/1tv3t57/can_opener_live_tracker/?share_id=fi60smMnFYQxAFCHdTgjK&utm_content=1&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1
  Also, behold: r/thecanopener

Low_Search_6667
OP •

I can’t confirm a 4th from yesterday 

runningraleigh

• 4 already this morning? Damn!

dlc12830

• I thought the same thing–that’s just the running tally. Agree it’s confusing.