The U.S. trucking industry struggles as spot rates fail to match inflation, squeezing carrier margins. Recent data shows national spot rates approaching multi-year highs at $2.75 per mile, but they should be closer to $3.50 per mile to align with CPI growth since 2020, creating a 27% gap.

Truckers face escalating operational costs without revenue increases, leading to breakeven or worse scenarios. Despite a recent rally, the long-term trend shows rates falling short of inflation. Factors like FMCSA enforcement, capacity discipline, demand recovery, and regulatory pressures could impact the industry in 2026.

Shippers have benefited from suppressed rates, but compliance actions and attrition may change that. With spot rates improving and compliance crackdowns continuing, carriers have the opportunity to regain lost profits in 2026. Shippers should anticipate a shift in the industry environment this year.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: A capacity crunch could change that