Diesel update for the week—if you thought fuel was finally easing up, it didn’t last long. We were running in that low to mid $3 range not long ago and now we’ve jumped hard. National average is pushing mid $4s, East Coast around $4.90, Midwest high $4s, and the Gulf Coast—the real market—is still sitting in the low $3s on spot. That gap is closing fast, which means retail likely isn’t done climbing yet. What this means in real life—don’t bank on cheaper fuel saving a bad load. If your FSC isn’t keeping up, you’re already behind. This is the kind of market that will eat your margin quick if you’re not paying attention. Bottom line—fuel just reminded everybody it can move fast. Stay tight on your numbers, be picky on your freight, and don’t run anything that doesn’t make you money.

I get this question all the time… and most guys are asking it the wrong way. There is no “best truck.” There is only the truck that makes you money. Before you spend $80K–$180K on a truck, ask yourself this: What freight am I actually running? Because your truck should match your operation — not your ego. Running heavy loads or mountains? You need power and durability. Running Southeast regional, lighter freight? Fuel mileage should be your focus. Too many guys buy a truck because it looks good… then realize it doesn’t fit their business. That’s where money gets lost. Now let’s talk real decisions: New vs Used New trucks give you reliability, warranty, and better fuel economy — but higher payments. Used trucks can cash flow quicker — but only if you have cash set aside for maintenance. If you don’t have a maintenance fund, a cheap truck can become the most expensive decision you make. Next — stop focusing only on the brand. Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner… it all sounds good. But what really matters is: - Engine platform - Maintenance history - How the truck was treated before you got it A clean, well-maintained truck will outperform a flashy one every time. And don’t ignore fuel economy. One MPG difference can mean thousands of dollars a year. That’s real money — not theory. And here’s the part most people don’t think about: Downtime will kill you faster than a truck payment ever will. If your truck isn’t moving, you’re not making money. So the real question isn’t: “What truck should I buy?” It’s: “What truck will keep me running, profitable, and consistent?” This is a business. Not a chrome contest. Buy for cash flow first. Upgrade later.

Trucking Update – What You Need to Know Right Now Freight is starting to show some life, but we’re not out of the woods yet. Capacity is still loose in most markets, which means rates are staying competitive. That said, we’re seeing small pockets where things are tightening up — especially on regional and short-haul lanes. Load-to-truck ratios are slowly improving. Not a spike, but enough to tell you the market is trying to turn. The guys who stay disciplined right now are the ones who win when it flips. Fuel continues to be a key factor. We’ve seen some volatility, and that’s going to keep pressure on margins. Make sure you’re paying attention to your FSC programs and not leaving money on the table. Hot lanes are shifting weekly. The Southeast is staying fairly active, Texas is steady, and parts of the Midwest are picking up. If you’re running spot freight, flexibility is still your biggest advantage. Broker behavior is tightening up too. They’re watching costs, pushing rates down where they can, and rewarding carriers who communicate and execute. This is a relationship market right now — not just a rate market. Big takeaway — survive and stay efficient. Control your costs. Run smart freight. Build relationships. Because when this market turns… it’s going to move fast, and the ones who stayed in the game are the ones who capitalize. Stay safe and keep rolling.

The freight market continues to show mixed conditions this week. Some segments are beginning to tighten while fuel prices are starting to put more pressure on operating costs. Overall activity is steady, but the recovery across the market remains uneven. Spot market rates have moved slightly week over week. Dry van rates are averaging around $2.36 per mile and have softened slightly. Reefer rates are around $2.75 per mile and are also down a few cents from last week. Flatbed continues to be the strongest segment, averaging around $2.70 per mile, with demand supported by construction, infrastructure, and equipment freight. Load volumes posted across the DAT marketplace remain solid but were down about four percent week over week. Truck posts also declined slightly. When both loads and trucks move down together it typically indicates capacity tightening a bit, which can help stabilize rates in the short term. Current load-to-truck ratios continue to show where the strength in the market sits. Dry van is running around eight loads per truck, reefer is roughly fifteen loads per truck, and flatbed remains extremely strong with around seventy loads per truck in many areas. This is a clear signal that flatbed demand is outpacing available capacity in several regions. Fuel is the biggest variable right now. Diesel prices have moved higher again and the national average is approaching the upper $4 range per gallon in many markets. Some regions saw nearly a dollar increase within the last couple weeks. If diesel continues to climb, we will likely see fuel surcharges increase and some smaller carriers pull capacity off the road temporarily. What this means for carriers right now is fairly straightforward. Flatbed operators continue to see the strongest opportunities. Dry van and reefer remain softer but relatively stable compared to earlier in the cycle. Fuel costs are becoming the largest pressure point for fleets heading into spring. Looking forward, produce season will begin to influence reefer demand in several southern regions, which may help lift those rates. If fuel continues to climb and capacity tightens further, we could start to see upward pressure on rates moving into the second quarter.

Owner Operators — one of the most important habits you can build in this business is understanding your weekly settlement sheet. Your settlement is more than just a paycheck. It’s the scorecard of your business. Every line matters: • Linehaul revenue • Fuel surcharge • Accessorial pay (detention, layover, extra stops) • Fuel advances or deductions • Insurance and other withholdings If you don’t understand where every dollar is coming from — or where it’s going — it’s easy to leave money on the table. Strong owner operators review their settlement every week and ask three simple questions: 1. Did I get paid for every load and accessorial I ran? 2. Do the miles and rates match what was agreed to? 3. Do I understand every deduction on this sheet? Remember — you’re not just driving a truck. You’re running a business. The operators who treat it that way are the ones who stay profitable for the long haul. If something doesn’t look right on your settlement, speak up and ask. Transparency and understanding are key to making sure everyone is winning. Keep the wheels turning and stay safe out there. 🚛