Rising Costs and Lower Capacity in the Domestic Truckload Market

2018 is off to a strong start for the economy and manufacturing, but there is a shortage of available truckload capacity on the spot market. The Purchasing Managers Index has not dropped below 50 since August of 2016. This time frame almost exactly correlates with the last low point in the Dow Jones Industrial index. (October 2016, 18142.42) In August of 2016, the dry van spot market rate was roughly $1.65 per mile, today that number is $2.30 per mile. As already discussed, that number is coming along with a driver shortage and carriers not wanting to adhere to the ELD mandate

7500+ Daily Shippers

23,000+ Vetted Carriers

8 U.S. & Mexico Offices

1M+ Shipments Managed

BlueGrace Logistics

- February 16, 2018

More Freight, Less Capacity

Currently there are 5.5 available loads for every available truck in the United States. Carriers can pick and choose the freight they want, at the rate they want, going where they want.

On the heels of the new Tax Plan, businesses like Boeing, AT&T, AAON, AccuWeather, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines and many others have given out employee bonuses and increased charitable donations to show good faith in the plan. This leads many to believe economic growth is not slowing down in 2018 which then leads to more manufacturing and more freight shipments.

How Can BlueGrace Help?

Transportation Management providers like BlueGrace Logistics will consult with your business and provide a solution that can help insulate your company from the chaos in the spot market. Here’s how:

Current State Analysis, inefficacy identification
Future State Vision and growth plan
Benchmark Current Rates, identify lanes and current carrier mix
Load Planning and Consolidation Scope and Strategy
Network Optimization
Dedicated resources

BlueGrace can start this process with an initial consultation and discovery call. Do not let the constraint and capacity of 2018 ruin your budget before it even gets started. Fill out the form below to schedule your free assessment today!

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Get Your Free Freight Analysis

Truckload capacity is tightening while transportation costs continue to climb. A data‑driven freight review can help you uncover cost‑saving opportunities, strengthen your carrier strategy, and improve performance in a challenging market.

Network Cost Review

We evaluate your freight spend, carrier mix, and lane structure to identify measurable cost‑reduction opportunities—especially where rate volatility and capacity shortages are driving up expenses.

Operational Gap Analysis

Our team pinpoints process inefficiencies, visibility gaps, and service risks that may be increasing your transportation costs or contributing to missed pickups, delays, or inconsistent service.

Action Plan Development

Receive a clear, customized roadmap outlining optimization strategies, procurement improvements, and technology enhancements designed to help you navigate rising costs and tightening capacity with confidence.