May 2026 | Market Insight

May 2026 Freight Market Insight

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

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The truckload market is tightening as we move deeper into Q2, with several key events stacking on top of each other and putting pressure on capacity and pricing.

Mother’s Day kicked things off with a surge in outbound freight from South Florida, especially floral shipments. That demand pulled trucks into the Southeast and created ripple effects across nearby regions. Normally this clears quickly, but with tighter capacity this year, delays are carrying over.

Right behind that is DOT Roadcheck Week. During this time, some drivers limit operations or stay off the road entirely to avoid inspections and delays. This temporarily reduces available capacity across the country and adds stress to already tight lanes.

Memorial Day adds another layer. Even though it is only one lost shipping day, it disrupts scheduling, pushes freight earlier in the week, and can extend delays if backlogs already exist.

At the same time, produce season is ramping up across Florida, Texas, Arizona, and California. As harvests increase, refrigerated trucks are pulled into these regions, tightening availability and driving rates up. This year, late freezes may compress the season, meaning even more demand hitting at once.

When all of this stacks together, it creates a more sustained disruption instead of short spikes. That means tighter capacity, higher spot rates, and more rejected tenders.

The data is already showing it. Load to truck ratios have increased significantly compared to last year, and instead of rates softening in April, they started rising earlier than expected. That is a clear signal that the market is tightening faster than normal.

Across equipment types:

Dry vans are seeing increased spot activity and rising pricing due to reduced capacity.
Reefer markets are the most volatile right now due to produce and seasonal demand.
Flatbed remains tight as construction season picks up and Roadcheck enforcement impacts availability.

Carriers are also being more selective. Freight priced below market is getting rejected more often, and it is becoming harder to secure consistent long haul drivers.

What this means for shippers

Expect tighter coverage, higher pricing, and more volatility through May and into early summer.

To stay ahead:
Plan loads earlier whenever possible
Be flexible with pickup and delivery times
Expect spot market exposure on tight lanes
Communicate proactively on critical shipments

Most importantly, work with a broker that is actively managing capacity, not just reacting to it. Inland Transport, Inc. focuses on matching freight with carriers already running those lanes, helping reduce delays and improve execution during tight market conditions.

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