State of Transportation: Monthly Freight Market Update

Updated on March 11, 2026

This State of the Industry report aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the transportation logistics industry, shedding light on its key drivers, trends, and emerging technologies. By examining the current landscape and forecasting future developments, we seek to equip decision-makers, industry professionals, and stakeholders with valuable insights to navigate the ever-evolving logistics landscape.

With the world becoming increasingly interconnected, the transportation logistics industry faces both immense opportunities and unprecedented challenges. Globalization, e-commerce, and advancements in technology have sparked a seismic shift in consumer expectations, supply chain strategies, and sustainability concerns.

Highlights for the general freight report include:

• Winter Storm Fern has proven to be the most disruptive event since the end of COVID. Rejection and spot rates remain elevated.
• The Midwest appears to be the epicenter of the tightness with the most elevated rejection rates by far. The west coast is the least disrupted region.
• Uncertainty returned to the supply chain in the form of tariff ruling and subsequent response from the president. This comes at a time when ocean demand is light due to Lunar New Year but could manifest in domestic level disruptions later.
• Intermodal demand took a short-lived hit during the winter storm but remains a strong offset to truckload and prices remain subdued.
• Some sharp green shoots are showing in the manufacturing sector though sentiment remains weak. Flatbed activity supports underlying growth.
• Labor markets remain sluggish with uneven growth leaning on healthcare.
• Consumption is stable but uneven as wealthier households are continuing to support the bulk of the spending. This is concerning for long term stability.
• Housing is still slowly crawling off a floor,but is still fairly muted. Lower mortgages are helping but builders are cautious.

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