Market intel
Truckload market intel for owner-operators
Weekly truckload rates per mile, diesel prices and capacity news for owner-operators, with what it means for the loads you take.
Latest report · October 12, 2026
Freight market, week of 12 October 2026: diesel eases, rates stay high
| Equipment | Spot per mile | Linehaul | Load-to-truck | Change on last week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van | $3.12 | $2.26 | 10.5 | Linehaul up 5 cents |
| Reefer | $3.68 | $2.75 | 16.8 | — |
| Flatbed | $3.68 | — | — | — |
National diesel
$6.18/gal
California diesel
$8.09/gal
Diesel: EIA, week ending October 12, 2026.
Bottom line
What it means for your next load
A surcharge-heavy rate looks better than it is, because fuel eats it. Check each load against your cost per mile at today's diesel price, not last quarter's.
Run your cost per mile at today's dieselNews
This week in trucking
Diesel at $6+
The monthly average passed $6 in September for the first time, and DAT recorded record fuel surcharges (84 cents van, 92 cents reefer, $1.01 flatbed).
Source: DAT via GlobeNewswireFuel is the number one concern
ATRI's 2026 survey, released 18 Oct, put fuel first for both carriers and drivers.
Source: Tank TransportEnglish-language proficiency enforcement
FMCSA proposed on 7 Aug 2026 to make it a permanent rule, after more than 26,000 drivers were placed out of service. It's a proposal with a comment period, not a final rule.
Source: FreightWavesCarrier sentiment
The Q3 Bloomberg and Truckstop survey shows rising worry about demand and costs.
Source: Truckstop
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