According to a new report from Logistics Mangers’ Index, port congestion and consumer demand for durable goods increased demand and rates for truck capacity in the month of February, a trend that we’re seeing continue in March. On Saturday, FreightWaves reported that outbound tender volumes are up 16 percent year-over-year and that capacity is particularly scarce across the Midwest.
In today’s edition of “Where’s the Freight?” you’ll see that nation-wide demand for flatbed capacity continues to be high, with three of the top five markets for truckers in the coming week projected to be flatbed markets. Keep reading to find out where demand and rates will be highest and lowest in the coming week in today’s edition of “Where’s the Freight?”
Where Demand for Trucks Will Be High or Rising
- If you’re running flatbed, expect Southwest Ontario (Canada), Portland, Maine, and Rapid City, S.D., to be three of the best markets in the nation for flatbed in the coming week.
- Tucson, Ariz., will continue to be the best reefer market in the country for truckers over the next five to seven days.
- You also can expect high demand for dry van in and out Rapid City, S.D., in the coming week.
- Demand for power only is projected to rise this week for Columbus, Ohio, Washington D.C., and Norfolk, Va.
Where Demand for Trucks Will Be Low or Falling
- Expect demand for flatbed to be low this week in and out of Calgary, Alberta (Canada), and Bowling Green, Ky. Demand for flatbed will be declining this week for Springfield, Mass.
- Hartford, Conn., and Reno, Nev., are projected to be two of the coldest reefer markets for truckers/carriers this week. Demand for reefer capacity will fall for Texarkana, Texas, and Ithaca, N.Y., over the next five to seven days.
- Expect demand and rates for dry van capacity in and out of Calgary, Alberta (Canada), to be low this week.
- Demand for power only will decline for Jacksonville, Fla., this week.
Trucker Tools’ Market Insights
- Based on today’s Trucker Tools data, the top five markets for truckers over the next week will be: 1. Southwest Ontario (flatbed), 2. Portland, Maine (flatbed), 3. Rapid City, S.D. (flatbed), 4. Tucson, Ariz. (reefer), and 5. Rapid City, S.D. (dry van).
- The five coldest markets for truckers over the five to seven days will be: 1. Calgary, Alberta (flatbed), 2. Hartford, Conn. (reefer), 3. Calgary, Alberta (dry van), 4. Reno, Nev. (reefer), and 5. Bowling Green, Ky. (flatbed).
- Maine’s popularity as a new place to call home has skyrocketed during the pandemic, driving home sales up by 23 percent, including new home construction, which may be what’s behind the high demand for flatbed capacity in and out of Portland, Maine.
- Demand for flatbed capacity for Portland, Maine, is currently seven times higher than it was at this time last year.
- Three weeks ago, the Canadian province of Ontario lifted its COVID-19 lockdown and stay-at-home order for the southwestern region of the province, which may be driving demand for flatbed capacity in and out of the region.
FreightWaves’ Market and Lane Insights: Reefer
Trucker Tools is partnering with FreightWaves to provide you with even more information on the hottest and coldest markets and lanes for truckers and carriers in the coming week. In today’s Daily Watch, FreightWaves is reporting that outbound reefer tender rejections, which measure demand, have hit the 50 percent mark, meaning one of out every two reefer loads is being rejected by carriers/drivers. As a result, reefer spot market rates are hitting all-time highs in this first quarter of 2021.
Milwaukee is one of the hottest reefer markets in the Midwest, which is why FreightWaves is recommending that you target the spot market for loads running from Elizabeth to Milwaukee this week. If you’re on the reefer spot market, consider making Milwaukee to Atlanta a priority this week as well to capitalize on extremely high demand for reefer capacity outbound from Milwaukee and a strong Atlanta reefer market.
Find out what other markets will be hot and cold by reading Where’s the Freight? Texarkana, Rapid City, Portland, Tucson and Southwest Ontario Five Hottest Markets for Truckers/Carriers This Week, our Friday edition of “Where’s the Freight?” To download Trucker Tools’ free driver app, visit https://www.truckertools.com/carriers/.
