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CNG is the “future of trucking,” says Wisconsin owner-operator Kevin Campbell Kevin Campbell has built his trucking business around a fuel choice that remains uncommon among owner-operators: compressed natural gas. The Wisconsin-based operator, named Overdrive’s October Trucker of the Month and a contender for the publication’s 2026 Trucker of the Year award, runs two 2016…
Backlog grows as nearly 35,700 containers await rail service at LA–Long Beach Nearly 35,700 import containers were waiting for on-dock rail service at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on Oct. 26, as record cargo volumes and reported railcar shortages slowed the movement of freight inland. The buildup is adding pressure to Southern…
43% of shoppers plan to spend more this peak, Kenco finds Consumers are preparing to spend more during the 2026 holiday season, but they are also carrying higher expectations for delivery, returns and shipment visibility. That combination could put additional pressure on retailers, third-party logistics providers and carriers during the peak shipping period. Kenco’s 2026…
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is pursuing several changes to commercial driver licensing, training oversight and hours-of-service enforcement, while also granting and considering exemptions opposed by some trucking safety groups. FMCSA Tightens Oversight of Non-Domiciled CDLs The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued an emergency interim final rule aimed at strengthening federal oversight of…
Exclusive: Central Freight Lines to Shut Down After 96 Years Central Freight Lines, the Waco, Texas-based less-than-truckload carrier, is preparing to shut down after nearly a century in business. The company has notified employees, drivers and customers that it will stop accepting new shipments Monday and begin winding down operations. The closure will affect more…
U.S. trucking companies are facing continued pressure from elevated diesel prices, maintenance expenses, insurance premiums and equipment costs. Industry officials warn that constrained refining and pipeline capacity could keep fuel prices high into spring 2027, while carriers work to control costs and protect already-tight margins. Diesel Costs Continue to Pressure Fleets The U.S. Energy Information…
Police charge seven commercial vehicles in Ontario speed-limiter enforcement campaign Seven commercial motor vehicle drivers and their carriers are facing charges after the Ontario Provincial Police conducted a four-day speed enforcement campaign in the North Bay area. Between Oct. 23 and 26, 2026, North Bay OPP officers carried out enforcement details on Highways 11 and…
Pennsylvania municipal police departments could soon be authorized to use radar to enforce speed limits under Senate Bill 509, which has passed the state Senate. The proposal also would establish limits on speeding citations and the amount of revenue police departments could generate from enforcement. Bill Would Expand Local Radar Authority Senate Bill 509 would…
A New Jersey proposal would direct the state Department of Transportation to study truck weight limits on state highways, including whether existing limits adequately protect bridges and other infrastructure when trucks leave major routes to avoid congestion. Proposal Calls for Statewide Weight-Limit Review The legislation, sponsored by Corrado, would require the New Jersey Department of…
Rising diesel prices are increasing transportation costs across the supply chain, adding pressure to freight carriers, farmers, manufacturers, retailers and consumers. Industry analysts say elevated fuel expenses could continue even if crude oil prices ease, as limited inventories and refinery constraints keep pressure on diesel markets. Diesel costs continue to climb Diesel prices cited in…
Are Northeast speed limits too slow for real-world traffic? Questions about how speed limits are set are resurfacing across the Northeast and elsewhere, with lawmakers taking different approaches to the relationship between posted limits, actual traffic speeds and highway safety. In New Jersey, a proposed change would require transportation agencies to rely more heavily on…
Mexico truckers reach deal for talks after strike disrupts 19 states Mexican trucking organizations reached an agreement with federal officials Tuesday to begin negotiations after nationwide demonstrations disrupted freight movement across 19 states and raised concerns about delays on major commercial corridors. The agreement between Mexico’s Interior Ministry, known as Segob, and trucking groups including…
Werner Enterprises expects cost pressures to continue into first quarter Werner Enterprises outlined a plan to return its truckload business to mid-cycle double-digit operating margins, but executives said several cost pressures will continue to weigh on results through the end of the year and into the first quarter. The Omaha, Nebraska-based carrier reported third-quarter adjusted…
PACCAR is recalling nearly 27,000 model-year 2027 Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks because sleeper-bunk restraint webbing may not have been properly secured during manufacturing, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents. Trucks included in the recall The recall covers certain 2027: Peterbilt 567, 579 and 589 trucks Kenworth T680, T880, W900 and W990 trucks The…
Exclusive: Central Freight Lines to shut down after 96 years Central Freight Lines, the Waco, Texas-based less-than-truckload carrier, will begin winding down operations after 96 years in business, putting more than 2,100 employees out of work just before Christmas. The company notified drivers, employees and customers that it would stop accepting new shipments on Monday,…
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration granted Landair Transport a five-year exemption on Sept. 1, despite opposition from most commenters who responded to the company’s request. Most commenters opposed request FMCSA received 10 comments on Landair Transport’s exemption application. Eight commenters opposed the request, one supported it, and the remaining comment did not clearly indicate…
Knight-Swift eyes leased Pa., Va. terminal options as AAA Cooper expands LTL network Knight-Swift Transportation is continuing to build out its less-than-truckload network as its AAA Cooper Transportation operation opens four terminals and evaluates leased facilities in Pennsylvania and Virginia. The expansion comes as Knight-Swift consolidates its LTL businesses under the AAA Cooper name. Effective…
Diesel prices have eased from their recent peak, but fuel costs remain a significant source of pressure for trucking, freight-dependent industries and consumers. Higher diesel expenses are moving through the supply chain, contributing to elevated transportation costs and higher prices for goods. Diesel Costs Continue to Pressure Freight Markets Andy Dyer, CEO of AFS Logistics,…
A 71-year-old man was killed early Thursday after being struck on westbound Interstate 80 in Vallejo, California, by a Tesla whose driver told authorities that Full Self-Driving mode was engaged, according to the California Highway Patrol. Pedestrian struck on westbound I-80 The crash occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Oct. 22. CHP identified the Tesla…
Fuel-tax reductions and temporary federal relief for dyed diesel are offering some potential savings for truckers, but the benefits vary by state and operating pattern. Industry officials say uncertainty over federal rules, state exemptions and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) reporting is causing some carriers to continue purchasing regular diesel. State tax savings vary The…
Tesla ‘Full Self-Driving’ crashes pile up in California Two crashes involving Tesla vehicles on Interstate 80 in Solano County have renewed attention on the limits of the company’s “Full Self-Driving” system and the responsibility that remains with drivers using it. In one of the incidents, a Tesla struck a California Highway Patrol vehicle that had…
Cost pressures sink Marten Transport’s Q3 Shares of refrigerated carrier Marten Transport fell about 7% in midday trading Friday after the company reported third-quarter earnings that fell short of Wall Street expectations. The result came despite signs that the truckload market is tightening and that pricing conditions are improving for carriers. Marten, based in Mondovi,…
Spartan’s Operators Went From AI Skeptics to Agent Builders When Spartan Carrier Group began exploring artificial intelligence about two years ago, the idea drew skepticism from the company’s operations staff. Today, the Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier is using an AI agent to automate customer reports and is preparing to test another workflow involving driver payroll….
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is seeking public comment on an application for an exemption from the federal requirement that commercial motor vehicle lighting devices operate with a steady-burning light. The application would allow certain auxiliary warning lamps to pulse in amber when activated as part of a rear conspicuity warning system. Application Seeks…
LTL shippers increasingly want timely responses and proactive communication Less-than-truckload shippers are placing greater value on fast customer service responses and proactive communication as freight demand begins to improve, according to Mastio & Company’s 2026 U.S. LTL Carrier Customer Value and Loyalty Report. The annual study, now in its 22nd edition, surveyed 1,647 LTL shippers…
U.S. Plans Two-Month Extension to Shipping-Fee Truce With China The United States is proposing a roughly two-month extension of a temporary agreement with China that suspended retaliatory port charges on certain ships calling at U.S. and Chinese ports. If approved, the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s proposal would extend the truce from its…
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has amended its emergency hours-of-service waiver for certain interstate fuel haulers, expanding the number of motor carriers that may qualify for additional operating flexibility amid fuel supply disruptions, higher demand and rising costs. Waiver expands eligibility for fuel haulers FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs said the revised waiver is intended…
A 71-year-old man was killed early Thursday after being struck by a Tesla on westbound Interstate 80 in Vallejo, California. The driver told the California Highway Patrol that the vehicle’s Full Self-Driving mode was engaged at the time of the crash. Fatal I-80 collision under investigation The crash occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. as the…
A new report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Legal Reform says the median verdict in trucking crash lawsuits has reached $5.2 million, adding to pressure on carriers already facing higher insurance and operating costs. Large Verdicts Add to Insurance Pressure The institute’s Roadblock report argues that trucking litigation and exceptionally large jury…
A trucker’s legal challenge seeking broader recognition of concealed-carry permits has ended, leaving Congress as the remaining avenue for nationwide reciprocity legislation. The case highlights the continuing difficulties drivers face when crossing state lines with firearms. State-by-State Rules Remain in Effect Concealed-carry permits do not automatically carry the same legal recognition in every state. Requirements…
First look: Norfolk Southern reports record revenue as freight volume grows Norfolk Southern reported record third-quarter revenue and higher earnings Thursday, supported by increased freight volume, stronger fuel surcharges and productivity improvements across its network. The railroad also said demand for rail service benefited from a tighter trucking market during the quarter. For the three…
AI-Linked Air Freight Lifts Kuehne+Nagel Profit in Strong Third Quarter Kuehne+Nagel reported sharp increases in revenue and operating profit for the third quarter of 2026, driven by strong air freight demand from technology customers, market-share gains in ocean shipping and continued cost controls. The Swiss logistics group said net turnover rose 22% year over year…
A legal challenge seeking broader concealed-carry recognition for truck drivers has ended without establishing nationwide reciprocity, leaving Congress as the remaining avenue for a uniform federal solution. Court Challenge Fails to Resolve Reciprocity Issue The case had focused on the difficulty drivers face when transporting firearms across state lines. Concealed-carry permits are generally governed by…
Exclusive: Central Freight Lines to Shut Down After 96 Years Central Freight Lines, the Waco, Texas-based less-than-truckload carrier, will begin winding down operations Monday after nearly a century in business. The closure is expected to affect more than 2,100 employees, including approximately 1,325 drivers, just days before Christmas. President Bruce Kalem told FreightWaves that the…
Fuel tax breaks are offering limited and uneven relief for truckers as diesel prices remain elevated. The potential savings depend on the state involved, the size of the tax reduction and whether the cut is passed through to customers at the pump. State tax relief varies Some states have paused or reduced their diesel taxes,…
Georgia extends motor fuel tax break through Thanksgiving Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has extended the suspension of the state’s motor fuel excise tax through Nov. 30, keeping a tax break in place for gasoline and diesel buyers during the Thanksgiving travel period. The governor cited global market volatility and continued high fuel prices in extending…
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has expanded its 90-day hours-of-service waiver for certain interstate fuel haulers, giving more carriers flexibility to transport gasoline and diesel during ongoing supply disruptions. The relief is subject to eligibility requirements and other conditions. Waiver Covers Fuel-Supply Operations FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs amended the waiver to include additional motor…
U.S. diesel prices remain near record levels, with the latest Energy Information Administration benchmark reaching $6.276 per gallon after rising nearly 10 cents in one week. The increase is adding pressure to trucking, agriculture, manufacturing and other diesel-dependent industries as officials consider temporary relief measures. Diesel prices remain above $6 per gallon The EIA’s weekly…
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has granted a modified hours-of-service exemption requested by the Association of American Railroads and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, allowing eligible motor carriers to deploy drivers beyond standard limits when responding to certain unplanned main-track events. Exemption Covers Main-Track Emergencies FMCSA said the revised exemption limits…
Pennsylvania Eyes a Fix for a Local Bridge Funding Gap Pennsylvania lawmakers are moving to clarify how counties can use state transportation money for bridge repairs, addressing rules that local officials say have left some municipal projects waiting while available funds went unused. The legislation focuses on Motor License Funds distributed to counties for bridge…
The Data Your Truck Sends Home Is Becoming Your New Credit Score—and Your Insurance Rate Too Connected-truck data is moving beyond maintenance and fleet visibility. Information generated by a truck’s sensors and onboard systems is increasingly being used to evaluate insurance risk, support financing decisions, prioritize warranty and service work, and locate equipment tied to…
Feds charge driver in alleged $12 million cargo theft scheme built on hijacked carrier identities Federal prosecutors have charged a commercial driver in an alleged cargo theft conspiracy that involved at least 24 freight shipments and more than $12 million in estimated retail losses. Authorities say the scheme relied on established trucking companies rather than…
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has granted a modified hours-of-service exemption requested by the Association of American Railroads and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, allowing eligible motor carriers to exceed standard driving and on-duty limits while responding to certain unplanned main-track events. Exemption Limited to Main-Track Events Under the exemption, qualifying…
$30 Million in Meth Found in Trailer Load of Salt at Texas Port of Entry U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized more than 3,300 pounds of alleged methamphetamine from a commercial tractor-trailer at the Laredo Port of Entry in Texas, according to the agency. The seizure took place Oct. 12 at the World Trade…
# Georgia Court Rejects Trucking Appeal—Without Explaining Why The Georgia Court of Appeals has denied Morgan Lakes Trucking LLC’s request for a discretionary appeal in its dispute with NAPC North American Chassis Pool Co-Op. The brief October 22 order leaves the lower-court ruling in place but does not explain the underlying conflict or the reason…