Trucking news translated into dispatch decisions.
Daily coverage of freight markets, fuel, regulation, technology, safety, and the changes that affect carriers and dispatch teams.
September 2026 news
One verified industry briefing every day.
FMCSA Gives No Completion Date for Motus Stabilization
FMCSA's deputy administrator said Motus should stabilize in weeks rather than months but did not provide a specific completion date.
Read briefing ↗Avocado Imports Generate $641.5M for U.S. Logistics
A commissioned Texas A&M analysis estimates that Mexican Hass avocado imports generated $641.5 million in U.S. transportation and warehousing output.
Read briefing ↗DOJ Alleges Carrier Takeovers Enabled $12M Cargo Theft
Federal prosecutors allege that control of established motor carriers was used to obtain and steal at least 24 interstate cargo loads.
Read briefing ↗Roadrunner Adds Canada-to-U.S. LTL Service
Roadrunner announced direct, truck-only outbound service from Canada to roughly 40 U.S. metro markets and a 5.9% general rate increase.
Read briefing ↗U.S. Trailer Orders Reach 43,059 in September
FTR says U.S. trailer net orders rose to 43,059 in September, the strongest monthly total since December 2022.
Read briefing ↗16 Carrier Bankruptcies Signal Broad Financial Stress
A FreightWaves review found at least 16 trucking and transportation companies filed for bankruptcy between September 18 and October 21.
Read briefing ↗PACCAR Connect Brings Fleet Apps Into 2027 Trucks
PACCAR plans factory-installed displays, connected fleet tools, and access to a third-party application marketplace in new Kenworth and Peterbilt Class 8 trucks.
Read briefing ↗Werner Flags Fuel, Driver, and Claims Cost Headwinds
Werner's third-quarter preannouncement shows how diesel volatility, driver investment, and insurance reserves can offset rate and utilization gains.
Read briefing ↗Fleetworthy Expands Expedited Inspection to Five States
Fleetworthy added California, Michigan, Vermont, and Maine to an automated eRODS inspection workflow first used in Nevada.
Read briefing ↗Carrier Logistics and LSP44 Launch LTL Identification API
A new API searches recent LTL records and ranks possible shipments when the requester lacks a valid PRO number, aiming to reduce manual inquiries.
Read briefing ↗FMCSA Confirms Nationwide DataQs Review Reform
All states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories now use updated DataQs requirements with independent review stages and defined decision timelines.
Read briefing ↗Uber Freight Reports Brokerage Volume Growth
Uber Freight says North American brokerage volume grew 30% in Q2 as more shippers use multiple services and fewer logistics providers.
Read briefing ↗Treasury Sanctions Tamex Trucking
OFAC designated a Nuevo Laredo trucking company and its dispatcher in an October 13 action targeting a Cartel del Noreste-linked commercial network.
Read briefing ↗Nippon Express Adds Five-Day U.S. Delivery Option
The new US 5-Day Cross option combines priority transloading near the Port of Los Angeles, two-driver long-haul operation, and sensor-based cargo visibility for delivery to designated U.S. service zones.
Read briefing ↗White House Orders Temporary Dyed-Diesel Highway Tax Relief
Executive Order 14435 directs temporary federal excise-tax and penalty relief for qualifying highway use of dyed diesel from October 5 through December 31, subject to Treasury and IRS implementation.
Read briefing ↗AI Infrastructure Reshapes Trans-Pacific Freight Demand
Semiconductors, servers, networking systems, and data-center equipment are increasing demand for fast, visible, specialized freight services across trans-Pacific supply chains.
Read briefing ↗LA and Long Beach Consider $60 Zero-Emission Drayage Incentive
The ports are considering a three-year operating incentive of $60 per eligible container pickup or delivery, capped at $36,000 per truck annually, to help keep zero-emission drayage equipment in service.
Read briefing ↗FMCSA Moves Flexible Sleeper-Berth Pilot Toward Launch
A new federal notice seeks comment on data collection for a 256-driver study of 5/5, 6/4, and intermediate sleeper-berth splits, with comments due December 7.
Read briefing ↗USDOT Grants Five-Year Warning-Beacon Exemption for Driverless Trucks
Aurora and other eligible autonomous-truck operators may use high-visibility cab-mounted warning beacons instead of deploying roadside warning devices, subject to federal notice and reporting conditions.
Read briefing ↗2026 LTL Survey Names Old Dominion Top National Carrier
Mastio’s shipper survey ranks Old Dominion first among national LTL carriers for a 17th consecutive year and Daylight Transport first overall for a third consecutive year.
Read briefing ↗C.H. Robinson Agrees to Acquire RXO for $5.8 Billion
The proposed combination would expand C.H. Robinson’s North American truck-brokerage and last-mile operations, with closing expected in the first half of 2027 subject to approvals and conditions.
Read briefing ↗U.S. Bank: Contract Dry-Van Rates Hold a 22-Cent Premium Over Spot
The October U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index shows August contract dry-van linehaul at $2.39 per mile versus $2.17 for spot, while higher fuel recovery complicates the all-in cost picture.
Read briefing ↗Illinois Investigators Recover a Cloned $60,000 Glycerin Load
Cook County investigators intercepted 75 drums of glycerin after shipment information was allegedly cloned to redirect the truck toward a suspected fraudulent cross-docking operation.
Read briefing ↗New Jersey’s ABC-Test Contractor Rules Become Operative
New Jersey’s adopted N.J.A.C. 12:11 rules became operative October 1, putting detailed ABC-test guidance into effect for worker-classification decisions.
Read briefing ↗Flexport Opens Freight Tracking, Rates, and Booking to AI Agents
A new Model Context Protocol connection lets authorized Flexport users work with live shipments, rates, quotes, and bookings from supported AI assistants.
Read briefing ↗FMCSA Inspection Blitz: 78 Drivers and 25 Vehicles OOS
A four-state overnight operation completed 552 commercial-vehicle inspections and placed 78 drivers and 25 vehicles out of service.
Read briefing ↗Germany Reviews Cosco’s Zippel Deal Amid Supply-Chain Data Concerns
A reported plan to block Cosco’s proposed majority acquisition of container carrier Zippel puts logistics software, operational data, and strategic dependency at the center of an investment review.
Read briefing ↗Clarios Expands Battery Monitoring Service to European Fleets
Battery Manager is expanding in Europe after connecting roughly 1,100 commercial vehicles, with alerts designed to identify low charge, battery end-of-life, and starter or alternator faults before a no-start event.
Read briefing ↗Diesel Supply Expected to Stay Tight Into 2027
Historically low U.S. inventories and unused storage capacity indicate that diesel availability and prices may remain under pressure well beyond the current spike.
Read briefing ↗Tesla Begins New Semi Deliveries From Its Nevada Plant
Tesla has started delivering production Semis to an initial customer group, bringing new range claims, fleet orders, and unanswered operating questions into live freight service.
Read briefing ↗ATA Truck Tonnage Index Falls 0.5% in August
The latest for-hire tonnage reading moved lower month over month and year over year, reinforcing the need for lane-level demand and margin discipline.
Read briefing ↗Pepco Opens Gdansk Hub and Extends Freight Contracts
The retailer is using a new Polish distribution and deconsolidation site, longer container agreements, and improved tracking to manage disrupted ocean flows.
Read briefing ↗Samsara Launches Fuel Command Center to Target Recoverable Fleet Spend
The platform combines idling, fueling location, driver behavior, fraud signals, and card controls while estimating a large pool of potential customer savings.
Read briefing ↗San Antonio Last-Mile Carrier Plans 230 Layoffs During Contract Ramp-Down
Amazon delivery partner 4XH Logistics disclosed a November workforce reduction that highlights the operational risk of concentrated contract freight.
Read briefing ↗Germany Puts Its First Cabless Autonomous Truck Into Regular Road Service
Einride and Lidl have placed a Level 4 electric truck into regular public-road freight service under Germany’s first authorization of its kind.
Read briefing ↗Laredo College and Palos Garza Logistics Launch Workforce Partnership
A new agreement will connect logistics students with practical experience in customs brokerage and transportation at a major U.S.–Mexico trade hub.
Read briefing ↗Hormuz Vessel Traffic Remains Far Below Its Recent Average
Preliminary tracking data showed only four commodity-vessel transits on Thursday, signaling continued uncertainty for fuel, imported cargo, and inland transportation plans.
Read briefing ↗Wyoming Rest-Stop Attack Puts Driver Security in Focus
A truck driver survived a serious attack at an Interstate 80 rest area, underscoring the need for location-aware check-ins and a clear carrier emergency response.
Read briefing ↗California Adds 30 MW of Heavy-Duty Charging Across Four New Depots
Forum Mobility’s California expansion will add four commercial truck-charging depots, with Tesla operating public Megacharging at three locations.
Read briefing ↗FMCSA Temporarily Extends the Duty Window for Fuel-Haul Drivers
A 90-day federal waiver gives qualifying gasoline and diesel haulers a longer duty window while preserving rest and fatigue safeguards.
Read briefing ↗High Diesel Prices Push More Freight Toward Rail
Union Pacific says rising diesel prices are encouraging shippers to move freight from trucks to more fuel-efficient rail service.
Read briefing ↗Railroads Report Freight Share Gains as Fuel Costs Rise
Norfolk Southern says fuel pressure is hurting results even as rail gains freight share from trucking.
Read briefing ↗EIA Fuel Data Confirms Exceptional Regional Diesel Pressure
The latest federal fuel update shows large regional differences that materially change the cost of the same dispatch plan.
Read briefing ↗Modal Shift Begins to Affect Trucking Demand on Select Lanes
Highway carriers are seeing renewed competition from rail as shippers seek fuel efficiency and predictable long-haul capacity.
Read briefing ↗Driver Recruiting and Retention Costs Pressure Large Carrier Earnings
Higher hiring and retention expense shows why operational stability and driver experience remain financial priorities.
Read briefing ↗Industry Data Hub Updates the Trucking Demand Picture
Fresh truck, trailer, and tonnage charts give carriers a compact view of the freight cycle and equipment market.
Read briefing ↗Peak Season Opens With Capacity and Pricing Uncertainty
Freight market coverage points to an uneven peak season where leverage can change quickly by lane, equipment, and day.
Read briefing ↗Diesel Volatility Forces Faster Margin Reviews
Rapid fuel movement is widening the gap between quoted transportation prices and the carrier’s actual trip cost.
Read briefing ↗Shippers Face New Consequences for Inaccurate Customs Information
A reported CBP policy change raises the stakes for correct importer and customs information beginning September 18.
Read briefing ↗DAT Spot Market Snapshot Gives Dispatchers a Fresh Lane Benchmark
DAT’s Trendlines dashboard provides a current view of national van, reefer, flatbed, and intermodal rate movement.
Read briefing ↗AI Moves Deeper Into Trucking’s Back Office and Shop
Fleets are applying AI to workflow, maintenance, cybersecurity, and freight decisions, increasing the need for human review and data controls.
Read briefing ↗FMCSA Advances Hours-of-Service Flexibility Pilot Programs
FMCSA says two pilot programs are moving forward to study whether greater scheduling flexibility can maintain or improve safety.
Read briefing ↗Broker Transparency Remains on the 2026 Regulatory Watchlist
Federal rulemaking timelines keep broker records and transaction transparency in focus for carriers and intermediaries.
Read briefing ↗September Market Update Flags Rising Costs and Fuel Risk
A new North American freight outlook points to truckload cost pressure, intermodal growth, and increased fuel uncertainty.
Read briefing ↗Intermodal Growth Changes the Competitive Map for Long-Haul Freight
Shippers are comparing highway service with intermodal options as fuel costs and capacity reshape long-haul decisions.
Read briefing ↗September Freight Capacity Tightens as Seasonal Demand Builds
Seasonal freight, harvest activity, construction, and early retail positioning are increasing planning pressure on key truckload lanes.
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