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
Freight demand stabilized in April at essentially flat year-over-year volumes, declining 0.2 percent, with mid-month improvement after early softness. Strength remained narrow, led by retail discount channels and paper and packaging, while durable goods and CPG continued to lag.
Broader macroeconomic conditions remain mixed. Consumer spending is increasingly concentrated among higher-income households as elevated energy costs strain lower- and middle-income budgets, while rising producer costs are beginning to pass through the supply chain. Manufacturing sentiment has improved but realized output is still on the horizon. Geopolitical tensions tied to the Iran conflict continue to keep energy prices elevated, weighing on business activity.
Looking ahead, the Breakthrough Freight Demand Indicator points to continued subdued conditions, with growth of approximately 1.5 percent expected and only gradual improvement anticipated through 2026.
Freight market update
Published: June 3, 2026
Freight demand held essentially flat in April, declining 0.2 percent year over year, with mid-month stabilization following early declines. Strength remained narrow, concentrated in retail discount channels and paper and packaging, while durable goods and CPG stayed persistently soft. Truckload capacity continues to tighten through supply-side pressures, including regulatory enforcement actions around English language proficiency and non-domiciled CDLs that have removed tens of thousands of drivers from service. Combined with elevated diesel, insurance, and financing costs, these dynamics are sustaining upward rate pressure across contract and spot markets heading into mid-2026.
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.
46.5 million shipments
$35 billion in transportation spend
16.5 billion commercial miles
2.5 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.