Executive Summary
The Global Cargo Corporation Weekly Market Intelligence Report, dated November 11, 2026, presents key indicators for the U.S. transportation and logistics sector, focusing on weather conditions, on-highway diesel fuel prices, container volumes, and FTL and LTL freight rates.
The weather forecast for November 11–13 highlights a cold front moving through the Midwest and the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, bringing showers, thunderstorms, and strong winds. A significant drop in temperatures may also produce snowfall near the Great Lakes and in mountainous areas of the Northeast, while a new frontal system is expected to reach the Pacific Northwest.
Diesel fuel prices declined across all monitored regions. The national average reached $6.13 per gallon, while the Midwest recorded a $0.20 decrease and the Rocky Mountain region experienced a $0.24 reduction per gallon.
In container transportation, Los Angeles recorded an estimated weekly volume of 203,200 TEUs in Week 45, while New York/New Jersey reached 186,500 TEUs. Houston maintained an estimated volume of 87,800 TEUs, and Savannah recorded 116,600 TEUs.
In the trucking freight market, spot rates experienced mixed movements. Dry Van increased to $2.89 per mile, Flatbed declined to $3.25, and Reefer rose to $3.52, according to Truckstop/FTR indicators, including fuel.
U.S. National Weather Forecast
Period: November 11–13, 2026
Sources: NOAA / Weather Prediction Center (WPC)
Weather conditions during this period include a cold front advancing across the central and eastern United States, bringing rainfall, thunderstorms, strong winds, and a significant drop in temperatures.
Unsettled conditions are also expected along the Northeast coast, while systems moving in from the Pacific Ocean will bring precipitation to the Pacific Northwest and Northern California.
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
A strengthening cold front brings showers and thunderstorms across the Midwest and the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, with the possibility of damaging wind gusts.
Northwesterly winds contribute to falling temperatures across the Plains, while isolated thunderstorms may develop over the Florida Peninsula during the afternoon.
On the West Coast, rainfall continues across Washington State, while other areas remain predominantly dry and warmer than normal.
These weather conditions may cause delays along the I-65, I-70, and I-40 highway corridors, as well as affect rail and intermodal terminal activity in Chicago and Memphis.
Thursday, November 12, 2026
A large coastal low-pressure system brings windy conditions to the eastern United States, accompanied by steady rainfall from the northern Mid-Atlantic to southern New England.
The coldest air mass of the season moves into the central United States, bringing temperatures significantly below normal.
Across the Mississippi Valley and parts of the South, daytime highs remain in the 40s°F.
Near the Great Lakes, lake-effect rain and snow are expected, while dry, gusty winds increase fire risks along the central Gulf Coast.
Wind and precipitation may affect operations at the Port of New York/New Jersey and transportation along the I-95 corridor.
Friday, November 13, 2026
Rainfall continues across the Northeast as cold air pushes farther south, reaching parts of Tennessee.
Minor coastal flooding is possible during high tides.
Across higher elevations of the interior Northeast and Central Appalachians, lower temperatures may support wet snowfall.
Meanwhile, a strong Pacific frontal system moves toward Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, bringing heavy rainfall.
Hard-freeze conditions may also extend into parts of the South during the weekend.
The combination of precipitation and low temperatures may affect freeze-sensitive cargo transportation and port operations in Oakland, Seattle, and Tacoma.
On-Highway Diesel Fuel Prices in the United States
Comparison Period: November 2 and November 9, 2026
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
Average on-highway diesel fuel prices declined across all U.S. regions during the week ending November 9, 2026.
The national average decreased from $6.29 to $6.13 per gallon. The Midwest and Rocky Mountain regions recorded some of the largest weekly reductions.
Weekly Diesel Price Comparison
| Region | Nov. 2 ($/gal) | Nov. 9 ($/gal) | Change* |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. National Average | 6.29 | 6.13 | -0.16 |
| East Coast | 6.03 | 5.92 | -0.11 |
| New England | 6.42 | 6.35 | -0.07 |
| Central Atlantic | 6.49 | 6.41 | -0.08 |
| Lower Atlantic | 5.81 | 5.69 | -0.12 |
| Midwest | 6.40 | 6.20 | -0.20 |
| Gulf Coast | 5.91 | 5.74 | -0.17 |
| Rocky Mountains | 6.45 | 6.21 | -0.24 |
| West Coast | 7.27 | 7.11 | -0.16 |
| California | 8.08 | 7.90 | -0.18 |
Changes are calculated using prices displayed to two decimal places. The EIA’s national indicator reports a weekly decline of approximately $0.17 due to rounding.
Regional Price Developments
The Rocky Mountain region recorded the largest weekly reduction, declining by $0.24 per gallon to $6.21.
The Midwest experienced a $0.20 decrease, while California recorded a reduction of $0.18, ending the period at $7.90 per gallon.
On the Gulf Coast, diesel prices declined from $5.91 to $5.74, representing a decrease of $0.17.
The West Coast also recorded a reduction, with prices falling from $7.27 to $7.11 per gallon.
The Lower Atlantic registered the lowest average price among the monitored regions, at $5.69 per gallon.
Despite the weekly decline, California continued to record the highest diesel price among the monitored markets.
The next EIA diesel fuel price update is scheduled for November 17, 2026.
Container Volumes and Port/Ramp Dwell Times
Period: Weeks 42–45, 2026
Sources: Port Authorities and Drayage.com
Weekly container volumes are estimated using statistics published by port authorities and available logistics activity indicators.
For Week 45, Los Angeles estimates were adjusted using an October projection of approximately 900,000 TEUs, while Houston figures are based on September port statistics. Recent average container movements were used for the remaining markets.
Container Volumes at Major U.S. Ports
| Port | Wk 42 | Wk 43 | Wk 44 | Wk 45* | Dwell (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 218,700 | 242,700 | 243,300 | 203,200 | 3.2 |
| New York/NJ | 194,300 | 188,100 | 185,900 | 186,500 | 4.0 |
| Houston | 77,700 | 87,800 | 87,800 | 87,800 | 3.2 |
| Savannah | 121,500 | 117,600 | 116,200 | 116,600 | 3.5 |
| Charleston | 66,000 | 64,000 | 63,200 | 63,400 | 3.0 |
| Norfolk | 66,100 | 64,000 | 63,200 | 63,400 | 3.1 |
| Port Everglades | 30,700 | 29,800 | 29,400 | 29,500 | 2.8 |
| Philadelphia | 16,000 | 15,500 | 15,300 | 15,400 | 2.5 |
Volumes expressed in TEUs. Weekly figures are estimates.
Inland Intermodal Ramp Volumes
| Inland Ramp | Wk 42 | Wk 43 | Wk 44 | Wk 45* | Dwell (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | 54,400 | 52,700 | 52,100 | 52,200 | 5.5 |
| Atlanta, GA | 39,600 | 38,400 | 37,900 | 38,000 | 4.2 |
| Charlotte, NC | 25,800 | 25,000 | 24,700 | 24,800 | 3.5 |
Container Movement and Dwell Times
Los Angeles recorded the highest estimated weekly volume among the monitored ports, with 203,200 TEUs in Week 45, down from the estimated 243,300 TEUs in the previous week.
New York/New Jersey recorded 186,500 TEUs, while Houston maintained an estimated volume of 87,800 TEUs.
Savannah reported 116,600 TEUs, followed by Charleston and Norfolk, both with 63,400 TEUs.
Among inland intermodal terminals, Chicago recorded the highest estimated volume at 52,200 TEUs, followed by Atlanta with 38,000 TEUs and Charlotte with 24,800 TEUs.
Average Container Dwell and Gate Turnaround Times
| Location | Average Dwell | Average Gate Turn Time |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 3.2 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 recorded 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 recorded the longest average dwell time, at 4.0 days, while Philadelphia had the shortest, at 2.5 days.
FTL and LTL Freight Rates by Equipment Type
Period: Week Ending November 6, 2026
Sources: Truckstop, FTR Transport Intelligence, and U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
Spot trucking rates experienced different movements across the three major equipment segments during the week ending November 6.
Dry Van and Reefer recorded increases, while Flatbed experienced a decline. Despite weekly fluctuations, rates remained significantly above the levels observed during the same period in 2025.
Weekly Spot Rate Comparison
| Equipment Type | Oct. 30 ($/mi) | Nov. 6 ($/mi) | Reported Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Van | 2.85 | 2.89 | +4.4 cents |
| Flatbed | 3.31 | 3.25 | -5.7 cents |
| Reefer | 3.45 | 3.52 | +7.0 cents |
Truckstop/FTR rates include fuel. Minor differences may occur due to rounding.
Dry Van — General Freight Transportation
The Dry Van spot rate increased by 4.4 cents per mile, reaching $2.89.
The rate remained approximately 49% above the level recorded during the same period in 2025.
Load postings increased by 5.6% during the week and were approximately 39% above the volume observed one year earlier.
Freight demand increased across all major origin regions, although gains were smaller in the Midwest and Southeast.
Flatbed — Open-Deck Transportation
The Flatbed spot rate declined by 5.7 cents per mile, reaching $3.25.
This marked the fourth weekly decline recorded during the previous five weeks.
Despite the decrease, rates remained approximately 40% above the levels observed during the same period in the previous year.
Load postings declined by 6.2% during the week but remained approximately 32% above their 2025 levels.
Reefer — Refrigerated Transportation
The Reefer spot rate increased by 7 cents per mile, reaching $3.52.
This represented the segment’s largest weekly increase since late August and its first gain after four consecutive weeks without an increase.
Rates remained more than 41% above the levels recorded during the same period in 2025.
Refrigerated load postings increased by 18.4% during the week, representing the largest weekly gain since May.
The increase in freight activity occurred as seasonal shipments began building ahead of Thanksgiving.
Year-Over-Year Freight Rate Comparison
| Equipment Type | Current Spot Rate | Year-Over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Van | $2.89/mi | +49% |
| Flatbed | $3.25/mi | +40% |
| Reefer | $3.52/mi | More than +41% |
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 rate directly comparable with the FTL equipment segments.
The national average diesel price declined to $6.13 per gallon, its lowest level since October 12, contributing to lower diesel-indexed fuel surcharges.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicators also show that employment in the LTL segment remained approximately 2,200 jobs above the level recorded during the same period in the previous year.
Week-Over-Week Market Movement
The average broker-posted rate on the Truckstop platform increased by approximately 1.8 cents per mile during the week.
Year over year, rates remained nearly 41% above their 2025 levels. Excluding fuel, annual growth was approximately 35%.
Total load postings increased by 7%, while available truck postings declined by 8.5%.
These movements pushed the Market Demand Index up by 22 points to 152.2, its highest level since early July.
Overall Spot Market Indicators
| Indicator | Result |
|---|---|
| Weekly Change in Average Truckstop Rate | +1.8 cents/mi |
| Year-Over-Year Change, Including Fuel | Approximately +41% |
| Year-Over-Year Change, Excluding Fuel | Approximately +35% |
| Weekly Growth in Load Postings | +7.0% |
| Weekly Change in Truck Postings | -8.5% |
| Market Demand Index | 152.2 points |
