In today’s edition of Trucker Tools’ “Where’s the Freight?” you’ll see how several months of port congestion around Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif., is impacting other port markets such as Savannah, Ga., San Diego and Jacksonville, Fla. Just how busy was the month of February for West Coast ports? The Port of Long Beach had its busiest February ever with freight volume up 43 percent when compared with 2020. Elsewhere, demand for reefer capacity remains elevated across the United States as produce season starts to take off. In today’s “Where’s the Freight?” you’ll also notice that Southwest Ontario and Portland, Maine, are expected to continue to be two of the hottest flatbed markets in North America. Keep reading to find out what other markets are projected to be favorable for truckers and carriers over the next five to seven day period.
Most Profitable Markets for Truckers, Carriers
- The two best flatbed markets in the country this week will be Southwest Ontario (Canada), and Portland, Maine. Demand for flatbed is projected to increase for Springfield, Mass., and Lubbock, Texas.
- Tucson, Ariz., once again is expected to be the top reefer market in the country for truckers and carriers over the next five to seven days.
- Demand for power only will be high over the coming week for San Diego and Savannah, Ga. Expect power only demand and rates to be on the rise this week for Jacksonville, Fla., and Hartford, Conn.
- Demand for dry van capacity in and out of Rapid City, S.D., will be increasing this week.
Least Profitable Markets for Truckers, Carriers
- Reefer demand will be low this week for Hartford, Conn., Rapid City, S.D., and Billings, Mont. Demand for reefer capacity will drop this week for Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada).
- Toledo, Ohio, and Ft. Worth, Texas, will be among the coldest power only markets in the country over the next week. Demand for power only will decline this week for Green Bay, Wisc.
Trucker Tools’ Market Insights
- Based on today’s data from Trucker Tools’ software platforms, the top five markets for truckers this week will be: 1. Southwest Ontario (flatbed), 2. Portland, Maine (flatbed), 3. Tucson, Ariz. (reefer), 4. San Diego (power only) and 5. Savannah, Ga. (power only).
- The bottom five markets for truckers in the coming week will be: 1. Toledo, Ohio (power only), 2. Hartford, Conn. (reefer), 3. Rapid City, S.D. (reefer), 4. Ft. Worth, Texas (power only), and 5. Billings, Mont. (reefer).
- After six consecutive weeks on Trucker Tools’ top flatbed markets in the country list, Rapid City’s flatbed market has fallen out of our top five.
- Tucson, Ariz., has been named the top reefer market for truckers and carriers for the last 15 weeks in a row.
- Savannah, Ga., had 14 container ships at its anchorages as of Wednesday, which is likely driving demand for capacity in and out of the area.
FreightWaves: Top Lanes for Truckers, Carriers
Trucker Tools is teaming up with FreightWaves to give you insights into what to expect this week in some of the country’s most popular freight lanes. In today’s Daily Watch, FreightWaves reports that the national average for outbound reefer rejections is at almost 50 percent, meaning one out of every two reefer loads is being turned down by drivers/carriers. If you are a reefer carrier with trucks headed into Chicago, it’s recommended that you hit the spot market for loads running from Chicago to Columbus to take advantage of high volumes and rates in this lane. Outbound tender rejections are on the rise out of Atlanta this week, indicating increasing demand, which is why it’s a good idea to run Atlanta to Elizabeth in the coming week. Outbound freight volumes are rising for Cleveland and may increase to their highest levels over the next five to seven days, which is why you should be firm on your rates for Cleveland to Atlanta in the coming week.
Read the previous edition of our three times/week market report, Where’s the Freight? Demand for Trucks Expected To Be High in Jonesboro, Portland, Tucson, Southwest Ontario, Rapid City. To download Trucker Tools’ free driver app, visit https://www.truckertools.com/carriers/.
