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 across the Breakthrough Ecosystem showed early signs of stabilization in February, posting its first year‑over‑year increase since May 2025. Gains were led by retail, paper and packaging, and food and beverage, while consumer packaged goods and durable goods continued to underperform. All segments recorded week‑over‑week growth, suggesting February’s improvement largely reflects a recovery from late‑January weather disruptions rather than a sustained inflection.
The Breakthrough Freight Demand Indicator rebounded from January’s weather‑driven decline, returning closer to prior‑year levels, but underlying demand conditions remain subdued. Macroeconomic headwinds, uneven consumer spending, weak labor dynamics, and geopolitical risks tied to the Iran conflict continue to weigh on freight fundamentals. As a result, demand is expected to improve only gradually through 2026, with the FDI projected to rise modestly by 1.1% by year‑end.
Freight market update
Published: March 20, 2026
Freight demand showed signs of stabilization in February, with the Breakthrough Freight Demand Indicator rebounding from January’s weather‑related disruption and moving closer to prior‑year levels. Despite the improvement, underlying demand remains subdued amid macroeconomic headwinds, uneven consumer spending, weak labor conditions, and geopolitical risks tied to the Iran conflict.
Truckload capacity is tightening incrementally as elevated costs, regulatory pressures, declining carrier counts, and constrained labor availability limit supply. Rate forecasts firmed modestly following February’s pricing strength, with near‑term upside driven by weather and tightening capacity. Pricing momentum into 2026 will depend on whether these capacity constraints persist amid broader economic uncertainty.
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.