The U.S. trucking industry is pushing through 2025 with resilience, innovation, and caution. While freight demand remains steady, evolving regulations, rising costs, and workforce challenges continue to shape the road ahead. Here’s what carriers, drivers, and logistics professionals need to know right now.

Freight Demand & Market Trends

• Freight volumes are holding steady, with a boost from retail and e-commerce sectors.
• Spot rates remain competitive but lower than pandemic-era highs.
• Intermodal transport is gaining favor for its efficiency and fuel savings, especially for long hauls.

Driver Shortage & Workforce Focus

• CDL-A drivers are in strong demand for both regional and long-haul positions.
• The industry still faces a nationwide driver shortage, made worse by an aging workforce and high turnover.
• Companies are raising pay, improving benefits, and promoting careers to younger drivers and women.

Compliance & Regulation Watch

• New rules like New Jersey’s $1.5M minimum liability insurance for trucks over 26,000 lbs are increasing operational costs.
• Federal agencies continue to push for safety upgrades, emission reductions, and ELD compliance.
• State-level clean truck mandates are picking up pace, impacting fleet planning.

Tech, Tools & Automation

• Fleets are embracing AI-powered route planning, real-time tracking, and video safety systems.
• Autonomous trucking is testing the waters, but full implementation is still years away.
• Electric trucks are slowly entering fleets, particularly for urban and short-haul deliveries.

Fuel Prices & Cost Management

• Diesel costs are more stable than in previous years but remain a major budget item.
• Operators are adopting fuel-saving strategies and newer aerodynamic equipment to cut expenses.
• Insurance and repair costs remain high, pushing small fleets to find creative savings.

As we move deeper into 2025, success in trucking depends on the ability to adapt quickly, invest smartly, and stay informed. Whether you’re a fleet manager, solo driver, or logistics partner, navigating industry changes is key to staying competitive.

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Average Freight Rates – May 2025

Dry Van

• National Average Spot Rate: $1.97 per mile
• Regional High: Midwest at $2.05 per mile
• Regional Low: Northeast at $1.77 per mile
• Contract Rate Premium: Approximately $0.43 per mile higher than spot rates
• Market Trend: Slight increase of 0.5% compared to May 2024

Refrigerated (Reefer)

• National Average Spot Rate: $2.34 per mile
• Regional High: Western U.S. at $2.41 per mile
• Regional Low: Northeast at $1.90 per mile
• Contract Rate Premium: Approximately $0.39 per mile higher than spot rates
• Market Trend: Slight decrease of 0.4% compared to May 2024

Flatbed

• National Average Spot Rate: $2.57 per mile
• Regional High: Southeast at $2.80 per mile
• Regional Low: Western U.S. at $2.19 per mile
• Contract Rate Premium: Approximately $0.48 per mile higher than spot rates
• Market Trend: Increase of 1.6% compared to May 2024

Market Insights

• Capacity Dynamics:
  • Dry Van: Load-to-truck ratio increased by 55% year-over-year, indicating tighter capacity.
  • Reefer: Load-to-truck ratio surged by 64% compared to the previous year, reflecting heightened demand.
  • Flatbed: Load-to-truck ratio rose by 36.1% year-over-year, showing increased activity.
• Fuel Prices:
  • National average diesel price: $3.54 per gallon.
  • Regional variations:
    • East Coast: $3.58 per gallon
    • Midwest: $3.48 per gallon
    • California: $4.84 per gallon