Truckload spot rates climbed to their highest levels since early 2022 in the first quarter of 2026, according to FreightWaves market data tracking SONAR indices across North American freight lanes. Outbound tender rejection rates reached nearly 13%, a level not seen since the freight boom of 2021-2022, signaling that carriers now hold enough pricing power to selectively turn down loads.

Long-term contract rates rose approximately 8% from late 2025 through March 2026, with further increases anticipated as shippers turned to secondary capacity to manage volumes. The combination of sustained regulatory enforcement, ELD device decertifications, and smaller carrier attrition reduced available capacity meaningfully over the past 18 months, setting up the current tightening cycle.

FreightWaves analysts noted that truckers are experiencing the best operating environment in several years, with meaningful margin recovery after an extended stretch of depressed rates. For fleet operators and carriers navigating these market conditions, fleet management video training helps teams keep pace with the compliance demands that accompany a tightening regulatory environment.

Source: FreightWaves -- https://www.freightwaves.com/news/truckload-volumes-and-spot-rates-hit-multi-year-highs