Executive Summary
The Global Cargo Corporation Weekly Market Intelligence Report, dated October 21, 2026, presents key indicators and developments in the U.S. transportation and logistics sector, covering weather conditions, on-highway diesel fuel prices, container volumes at U.S. ports, the commercial truck driver market, and FTL and LTL freight rates.
The weather forecast for October 21–23 highlights heavy rainfall and flash flood risks across Southern California and the Four Corners region. Meanwhile, above-normal temperatures prevail across the Central Plains, while a low-pressure system near the Northeast coast continues to produce windy conditions and coastal flooding. Florida also faces the possibility of heavy rainfall during the weekend.
Diesel fuel prices increased across all monitored regions. The national average rose from $6.18 to $6.28 per gallon, representing a $0.10 increase compared with the previous week. The West Coast and California recorded the largest absolute increases, at $0.15 per gallon.
Estimated container volumes recovered during Week 42 following declines in previous weeks. Los Angeles recorded approximately 218,700 TEUs, followed by New York/New Jersey with 194,300 TEUs. These figures represent estimates derived from port authority statistics and Drayage.com demand indicators.
The commercial truck driver market continues to be characterized by an estimated 3.46 million active CDL drivers, a shortage of approximately 82,000 drivers, and annualized turnover near 90% among large over-the-road carriers. Capacity indicators also point to lower truck availability compared with the previous year, accompanied by elevated freight demand.
In the trucking freight market, all three major equipment segments experienced minor weekly fluctuations. Dry Van rates declined to $2.85 per mile, Flatbed remained near $3.34 per mile, and Reefer decreased to $3.54 per mile, according to Truckstop/FTR data, including fuel.
U.S. National Weather Forecast
Period: October 21–23, 2026
Sources: NOAA / Weather Prediction Center (WPC)
The weather forecast for this period indicates heavy rainfall risks across Southern California and the southwestern United States, above-normal temperatures across the Central Plains, and unsettled conditions associated with a low-pressure system near the Northeast coast.
The primary areas of concern include Southern California, the Four Corners region, the central United States, and coastal Florida.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
A low-pressure system known as a Nor’easter remains offshore near the northeastern United States, while an influx of tropical moisture creates favorable conditions for heavy rainfall and flash flooding across Southern California and the Four Corners region.
The Weather Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk of excessive rainfall for Southern California, including Los Angeles, and the Desert Southwest.
Thunderstorms may produce localized rainfall accumulations of approximately 2 to 2.5 inches within an hour, increasing the risk of flash flooding in affected areas.
In the Northeast, coastal flooding conditions begin to ease as the low-pressure system gradually moves away.
Meanwhile, interior New England experiences overnight low temperatures near freezing.
Across the Central Plains, above-normal temperatures persist over a broad area of the United States.
Weather conditions may cause delays in container drayage operations at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, as well as slower travel along the I-10 and I-15 highway corridors.
Thursday, October 22, 2026
Flash flood risks become concentrated across the Four Corners region, while a strengthening high-pressure ridge supports above- to well-above-normal temperatures across much of the central United States.
The Weather Prediction Center identifies a high-end Slight Risk of excessive rainfall extending from southeastern Arizona into southwestern Colorado.
Near the San Juan Mountains, conditions could approach a Moderate Risk of excessive rainfall.
Heavy precipitation may also persist across portions of Southern California.
Temperatures remain relatively cool across the West, while the low-pressure system affecting the Northeast continues moving offshore.
Warm conditions intensify across the Plains and Midwest, extending from the Dakotas into the central states.
Heavy rainfall may affect the I-40 and I-25 highway corridors, along with freight transportation operations associated with the Phoenix and Albuquerque intermodal ramps.
Friday, October 23, 2026
Heavy rainfall shifts into the High Plains east of the southern Rockies.
The Weather Prediction Center maintains a Slight Risk of excessive rainfall from eastern New Mexico into southeastern Colorado and adjacent areas of the High Plains, with conditions potentially continuing through Saturday.
In the southeastern United States, rainfall intensifies across South Florida ahead of a wetter weekend.
Locally heavy precipitation is possible along the corridor connecting Port St. Lucie and Miami.
At the same time, above-normal temperatures continue across the central United States.
Weather conditions may cause delays in transportation and distribution operations associated with Port Everglades, while higher temperatures across the central states remain an operational factor for refrigerated freight transportation.
On-Highway Diesel Fuel Prices in the United States
Comparison Period: October 12 and October 19, 2026
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
Average on-highway diesel fuel prices increased across all monitored U.S. regions during the week ending October 19, 2026.
The national average rose from $6.18 to $6.28 per gallon, representing a weekly increase of $0.10.
The West Coast and California recorded the largest absolute increases, while New England experienced the smallest change.
Weekly Diesel Price Comparison
| Region | Oct. 12 ($/gal) | Oct. 19 ($/gal) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. National Average | 6.18 | 6.28 | +0.10 |
| East Coast | 5.91 | 5.98 | +0.07 |
| New England | 6.44 | 6.47 | +0.03 |
| Central Atlantic | 6.47 | 6.51 | +0.04 |
| Lower Atlantic | 5.65 | 5.74 | +0.09 |
| Midwest | 6.26 | 6.35 | +0.09 |
| Gulf Coast | 5.81 | 5.90 | +0.09 |
| Rocky Mountains | 6.30 | 6.42 | +0.12 |
| West Coast | 7.24 | 7.39 | +0.15 |
| California | 8.09 | 8.24 | +0.15 |
Regional Price Developments
The national average increased by $0.10 per gallon, rising from $6.18 to $6.28.
On the East Coast, diesel prices rose by $0.07, ending the period at $5.98 per gallon.
New England recorded an increase of $0.03, with an average price of $6.47.
The Central Atlantic experienced an increase of $0.04, rising from $6.47 to $6.51.
In the Lower Atlantic, diesel prices increased from $5.65 to $5.74, representing a rise of $0.09.
The Midwest also recorded a $0.09 increase, reaching $6.35 per gallon.
On the Gulf Coast, the average price rose from $5.81 to $5.90, reflecting a weekly increase of $0.09.
The Rocky Mountain region recorded an increase of $0.12, ending the week at $6.42.
The West Coast experienced an increase of $0.15, rising from $7.24 to $7.39 per gallon.
In California, diesel prices also increased by $0.15, reaching $8.24 per gallon and remaining the highest among the monitored regions.
The next EIA diesel fuel price update is scheduled for October 27, 2026.
Container Volumes and Port/Ramp Dwell Times
Period: Weeks 39–42, 2026
Sources: Port Authorities and Drayage.com
Container volumes show an estimated recovery during Week 42, following the declines recorded in Weeks 40 and 41.
The estimates are calculated using the latest monthly statistics published by port authorities and national demand indicators from Drayage.com.
Values for Weeks 39–41 represent previous estimates based on available port volumes and activity indicators.
For Week 42, volumes were calculated using the average of Weeks 38–41, adjusted for an approximately 3% increase in Drayage.com’s national demand indicator compared with the previous four weeks.
Container Volumes at Major U.S. Ports
| Port | Wk 39* | Wk 40* | Wk 41* | Wk 42** | Dwell (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 222,200 | 206,700 | 199,800 | 218,700 | 3.0 |
| New York/NJ | 197,200 | 183,500 | 177,500 | 194,300 | 4.0 |
| Houston | 79,000 | 73,400 | 71,000 | 77,700 | 3.2 |
| Savannah | 123,300 | 114,700 | 111,000 | 121,500 | 3.5 |
| Charleston | 67,100 | 62,400 | 60,300 | 66,000 | 3.0 |
| Norfolk | 67,200 | 62,400 | 60,400 | 66,100 | 3.1 |
| Port Everglades | 31,200 | 29,000 | 28,100 | 30,700 | 2.8 |
| Philadelphia | 16,200 | 15,100 | 14,600 | 16,000 | 2.5 |
Volumes expressed in TEUs. Weeks 39–41: prior estimates. Week 42: estimate adjusted using the +3% national demand indicator.
Inland Intermodal Ramp Volumes
| Inland Ramp | Wk 39* | Wk 40* | Wk 41* | Wk 42** | Dwell (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | 55,200 | 51,400 | 49,700 | 54,400 | 5.5 |
| Atlanta, GA | 40,200 | 37,400 | 36,200 | 39,600 | 4.2 |
| Charlotte, NC | 26,200 | 24,400 | 23,600 | 25,800 | 3.5 |
Container Movement at Major U.S. Ports
The Port of Los Angeles recorded the highest estimated weekly volume among the monitored ports, with 218,700 TEUs in Week 42.
This represents an increase from the estimated 199,800 TEUs in Week 41, although the volume remains slightly below the Week 39 level.
New York/New Jersey recorded 194,300 TEUs in Week 42, compared with 177,500 TEUs in the previous week.
Savannah reported an estimated volume of 121,500 TEUs, while Houston recorded 77,700 TEUs.
Norfolk and Charleston reported similar volumes, at 66,100 and 66,000 TEUs, respectively.
Port Everglades reached 30,700 TEUs, while Philadelphia recorded 16,000 TEUs.
Inland Intermodal Ramp Activity
Among inland intermodal terminals, Chicago recorded the highest estimated volume, reaching 54,400 TEUs in Week 42.
Atlanta reported 39,600 TEUs, while Charlotte recorded 25,800 TEUs.
All three terminals registered estimated growth compared with Week 41, following the recovery in national activity indicators.
Dwell Times and Container Movement
Average container dwell times and truck gate turnaround times vary across the major port and intermodal markets.
| Location | Average Dwell | Average Gate Turn Time |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 3.0 days | 1.4 hours |
| New York/NJ | 4.0 days | 1.1 hours |
| Houston | 3.2 days | 0.8 hours |
| Savannah | 3.5 days | 0.6 hours |
| Charleston | 3.0 days | 0.7 hours |
| Norfolk | 3.1 days | 0.8 hours |
| Port Everglades | 2.8 days | 0.6 hours |
| Philadelphia | 2.5 days | 0.5 hours |
| Chicago | 5.5 days | 2.3 hours |
| Atlanta | 4.2 days | 1.8 hours |
| Charlotte | 3.5 days | 1.5 hours |
Chicago has the longest average dwell time among inland intermodal terminals, at 5.5 days, as well as the longest average gate turnaround time, at 2.3 hours.
Among seaports, New York/New Jersey has the longest average dwell time, at 4.0 days.
Philadelphia records the shortest average dwell time among the ports presented, at 2.5 days.
Drayage.com’s metropolitan daily activity indicators require authenticated access. Therefore, the weekly volumes presented are estimates calculated from port statistics and demand indicators rather than daily counts extracted directly from the platform.
FTL and LTL Freight Rates by Equipment Type
Period: Week Ending October 16, 2026
Sources: Truckstop, FTR Transport Intelligence, and DAT Freight & Analytics
Spot trucking rates experienced minor fluctuations during the week ending October 16, 2026.
The Dry Van segment recorded a slight decline, Flatbed remained nearly unchanged with a marginal increase, and Reefer decreased compared with the previous week.
Truckstop/FTR rates include fuel, while DAT Freight & Analytics provides additional comparisons of linehaul rates and seasonal market conditions.
Weekly Spot Rate Comparison
| Equipment Type | Oct. 9 ($/mi) | Oct. 16 ($/mi) | Reported Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Van | 2,86 | 2,85 | Decrease of less than 1 cent |
| Flatbed | 3,34 | 3,34 | +0.2 cent |
| Reefer | 3,55 | 3,54 | -1,5 cents |
Truckstop/FTR rates include fuel. Rates are rounded to two decimal places; therefore, the exact reported changes may not match the differences between the displayed values.
Dry Van — General Freight Transportation
The Truckstop/FTR Dry Van spot rate declined by less than 1 cent per mile, reaching approximately $2.85.
Despite the slight weekly decrease, the rate remained approximately 47% above the level recorded during the same period in 2025.
Load postings increased by 1.1% during the week, following a decline of nearly 15% in the previous period.
The DAT linehaul rate remained unchanged at $2.26 per mile.
The difference between linehaul rate movements and total freight rates reflects the contribution of additional components, including fuel, to transportation pricing.
Flatbed — Open-Deck Transportation
The Truckstop/FTR Flatbed spot rate increased by 0.2 cent per mile, remaining near $3.34.
Rates in this segment continued to be approximately 43% above the levels recorded during the same period in the previous year.
Load postings declined by 3.8% during the week.
According to DAT, Flatbed rates remained approximately 26% above their historical nine-year seasonal average.
The load-to-truck ratio reached 36.5, more than three times the level recorded during the same period in the previous year.
These figures reflect relatively tight capacity conditions in the open-deck transportation segment.
Reefer — Refrigerated Transportation
The Truckstop/FTR Reefer spot rate declined by 1.5 cents per mile, reaching $3.54.
The decrease reversed the increase recorded during the previous week.
Despite the weekly decline, the rate remained approximately 44% above the level observed during the same period in 2025.
DAT recorded a 1-cent increase in the Reefer linehaul rate, which reached $2.76 per mile.
The Upper Midwest recorded one of the highest regional rates in the segment, reaching approximately $3.65 per mile.
The difference between Truckstop/FTR and DAT indicators reflects their different rate calculation methodologies and pricing components.
Year-Over-Year Freight Rate Comparison
| Equipment Type | Current Spot Rate | Year-Over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Van | $2.85/mi | +47% |
| Flatbed | $3.34/mi | +43% |
| Reefer | $3.54/mi | +44% |
Additional Market Indicators
| Indicator | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry Van — Change in Load Postings | +1.1% |
| Dry Van — DAT Linehaul Rate | $2.26/mi |
| Flatbed — Change in Load Postings | -3.8% |
| Flatbed — Premium Over Seasonal Average | +26% |
| Flatbed — Load-to-Truck Ratio | 36.5 |
| Reefer — DAT Linehaul Rate | $2.76/mi |
| Reefer — Upper Midwest Rate | $3.65/mi |
LTL Market — Less-Than-Truckload Transportation
LTL freight rates are primarily calculated by weight, frequently using hundredweight units, rather than per-mile pricing.
For this reason, there is no average per-mile benchmark directly comparable with the FTL equipment segments.
The national average diesel price increased by $0.10, reaching $6.28 per gallon and ending a sequence of three consecutive weekly declines.
The increase in fuel prices is associated with higher transportation fuel surcharges calculated using diesel price indexes.
ACT Research also identifies growth in LTL tonnage amid tighter truckload capacity conditions.
Freight shifting toward alternative transportation modes accompanies changes in equipment availability and prevailing trucking market rates.
Week-over-Week Market Movement
Total broker-posted spot rates on the Truckstop platform remained nearly unchanged during Week 42.
The average movement was approximately -0.3 cent per mile, consistent with seasonal patterns observed during this period.
Despite overall stability, the three equipment segments experienced different movements.
Dry Van recorded a slight decline, Flatbed experienced a marginal increase, and Reefer decreased following the previous week’s gain.
DAT RateCast also provides linehaul rate projections for late November.
| Equipment Type | Projected Linehaul Rate |
|---|---|
| Dry Van | $2.23/mi |
| Reefer | $2.78/mi |
| Flatbed | $2.59/mi |
