The Breakthrough Monthly Freight Index
Elevate your freight strategy with the Breakthrough Ecosystem. Stay informed with the latest freight index and market update, empowering you to navigate shifts in demand and capacity.
Freight index analysis
Shipments within the Breakthrough Ecosystem saw a 2.1% decline year-over-year in March, continuing a slow start for freight demand in 2025. The monthly decrease reflected typical seasonal patterns, as the quieter shipping period extends through much of Q1.
Paper and packaging, food and beverage, and retail sectors experienced growth in loads during March. Meanwhile, consumer packaged goods and durable goods industries decreased, pulling the Breakthrough Ecosystem into a year-over-year decrease in total freight shipments.
Freight market update
Published: May 9, 2025
We are approaching the midpoint of the second quarter without experiencing meaningful changes to fundamentals in the truckload market. This lack of change was confirmed as first quarter earnings results rolled out. While capacity tightened across most equipment categories over the past 6 months, our dataset and the latest U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics Truck Tonnage Index confirmed there has been no profound uptick in demand to create consistent upward pressure on linehaul rates. The February index figure decreased year-over-year, and the January reading remained the only instance of year-over-year growth in truckload tonnage during the past six months. Consistent freight demand growth remains on the horizon, and the timeline for its arrival will be challenged in the uncertain policy environment.
Adapt to freight market demands
To maintain a competitive advantage, integrate innovative strategies that leverage data, technology, and market expertise. By doing so, you can take a proactive approach to procurement.
Access real-time data
Prepare for the forecasted increase in freight demand by having access to a real-time, shipper-transacted dataset. With this type of data at your fingertips, you can benchmark your network against other industry-leading shippers and uncover opportunities within your transportation network.
Invest in relationships
Invest in mutually beneficial relationships with carriers to be prepared for any sudden changes in freight demand or capacity. Leverage Capac-ID to determine if alternative carriers might be a better match for certain lanes and loads.
Leverage a trusted source
Keep informed about market shifts to adjust your transportation plans promptly. By leveraging unbiased market expertise from sources like Breakthrough, you can effectively communicate market dynamics to your C-suite, enhancing your credibility as a transportation leader.
About the Breakthrough Ecosystem
The Breakthrough Ecosystem is one of the cleanest and most robust sets of transportation data in the U.S.
28+ million shipments
$32 billion in transportation spend
15+ billion commercial miles
2 billion gallons of diesel fuel
Take control of your freight network
Experience firsthand how Breakthrough’s innovative freight solutions can keep a constant pulse on your transportation network performance and identify areas for cost reduction and efficiency gains.