February 2026 | Market Insight

February Freight Market Update

‍By Mark Rudnitsky, Senior Executive at Inland Transport, Inc.

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February brought significant disruption across the freight market as severe winter weather collided with an already fragile supply and demand balance across the trucking industry. While the freight market had begun stabilizing in early January, a powerful winter storm system that moved across much of the United States quickly shifted conditions and triggered a surge in spot market activity.

The storm system, which impacted large portions of the Midwest, Southeast, Mid Atlantic and Northeast, created widespread transportation delays and capacity disruptions across the country. As trucks were forced off the road due to dangerous conditions and facility shutdowns, freight quickly began backing up across multiple regions. This sudden disruption caused tender rejections to spike and spot market rates to rise rapidly as shippers scrambled to secure trucks.

What makes this disruption particularly notable is the timing. February is traditionally a quieter period for freight demand following the holiday shipping season. In most years weather related disruptions in February are short lived and do not cause significant rate volatility. However, this year’s conditions revealed just how sensitive the current freight market has become due to tightening capacity and rising operational costs across the trucking industry.

Even as the storm conditions began clearing, the ripple effects carried well into February. Spot market rates for dry van, refrigerated and flatbed freight remain elevated compared to the same time last year. In some cases spot pricing has even approached or exceeded contracted rates, something that rarely occurs outside of tighter freight markets.

Although freight volumes are still slightly lower compared to last year, the supply side of the market is showing clear signs of strain. Several factors are contributing to this tightening capacity environment. High operating costs for trucking companies continue to pressure carriers, including rising fuel prices, higher equipment costs, increasing insurance premiums and ongoing maintenance expenses. These financial pressures have forced many smaller carriers to exit the market over the past two years, reducing the total number of available trucks on the road.

At the same time, the driver pool continues to face challenges. Increased regulatory enforcement and stricter requirements surrounding CDL licensing and driver compliance have slowed the pace at which new drivers enter the workforce. Ongoing audits of licensing programs and training schools have also led to revoked licenses and further reductions in the available driver pool. While these measures are designed to improve safety and professionalism within the industry, they are also tightening available capacity.

Another factor impacting capacity is the aging truck fleet across the country. Many carriers delayed purchasing new equipment during the freight downturn due to high interest rates and uncertainty around emissions regulations. As a result the average age of trucks operating in fleets today is near historic highs. Older equipment leads to higher maintenance costs and more downtime, which further reduces the number of trucks actively available to move freight.

Despite these challenges, freight demand remains relatively stable thanks to a resilient economy. Consumer spending has remained steady and manufacturing activity showed signs of improvement earlier this year. Import volumes remain strong compared to long term historical averages even though they are slightly lower compared to the past few years.

While the worst of the winter disruption has now passed, the events of February revealed how quickly market conditions can shift when capacity becomes constrained. As the industry moves toward the spring produce season and the traditional summer shipping peak, the market may experience additional volatility if capacity continues tightening.

For shippers, February served as an important reminder that proactive planning is essential when navigating changing freight markets. Companies that rely on last minute transportation arrangements are far more vulnerable to disruptions and price volatility when market conditions tighten.

Below are ten key strategies shippers should focus on as the freight market continues evolving.

1. Provide additional lead time for shipments whenever possible so Inland Transport can secure reliable carrier capacity in advance.
2. Communicate upcoming freight with your Inland Transport account executive or account manager early so trucks can be scheduled before capacity tightens.
3. Budget appropriately for transportation costs as fuel prices and operational expenses continue placing upward pressure on rates.
4. Plan seasonal freight well ahead of time, particularly as produce season begins to ramp up in the coming months.
5. Work closely with Inland Transport to forecast shipping volumes and plan capacity across key freight lanes.
6. Remain flexible with pickup and delivery windows whenever possible to increase the availability of trucks.
7. Consolidate shipments when possible to improve efficiency and reduce transportation costs.
8. Avoid last minute shipping requests which often result in higher spot market pricing and service challenges.
9. Stay informed about regulatory changes affecting drivers, trucking companies and CDL compliance requirements.
10. Build a strong working relationship with Inland Transport so your company has access to a reliable carrier network when market disruptions occur.

Looking ahead, spot rates are expected to gradually ease as the market recovers from recent weather disruptions. However, even if rates decline slightly in the short term they will likely remain elevated compared to last year. The longer spot rates remain elevated, the higher the baseline for transportation pricing will become as the industry moves into the second quarter.

As seasonal demand builds during the spring and summer months, additional pressure on contract pricing may develop and routing guide disruptions could become more common. The industry will gain a clearer picture of where the market is headed once produce season begins in March and shipping volumes increase across key agricultural regions.

At Inland Transport, Inc., our team continuously monitors market conditions, carrier capacity and freight trends across the country. By maintaining strong relationships with reliable carriers and planning shipments well in advance, Inland Transport helps customers navigate market volatility while ensuring freight continues moving efficiently.

The events of February demonstrated how quickly the freight market can shift when weather disruptions collide with tightening capacity. Companies that prepare early and maintain strong communication with Inland Transport will remain best positioned to navigate these conditions and keep their supply chains running smoothly throughout the year.

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February Freight Market Update

‍By Mark Rudnitsky, Senior Executive at Inland Transport, Inc.