Residential construction, consumer demand and an increase in U.S. oil drilling all are driving the sustained demand for flatbed capacity across the country. That’s why in today’s edition of “Where’s the Freight?” three of the top five markets for truckers and carriers in the coming week will be flatbed markets. Rapid City, S.D., will continue to be one of the hottest dry van markets, while Hartford, Conn., will remain one of the least desirable reefer markets for truckers and carriers in the coming week. Keep reading to find out which lanes, markets and regions you should target over the next five to seven day period to maximize your revenue.
Hot Markets for Truckers in the Coming Week
- Southwest Ontario (Canada), Texarkana, Texas, and Portland, Maine, are projected to be the best flatbed markets in the nation for truckers and carriers in the next week. Flatbed demand also is projected to increase this week for Rapid City, S.D., Southwest Ontario (Canada), Rochester, N.Y., and Texarkana, Texas.
- Tucson, Ariz., remains the top reefer market in the country for drivers and carriers. Demand for reefer capacity in and out of Tucson, Ariz., is projected to increase even more in the next five to seven days.
- Rapid City, S.D., will be the best dry van market in the nation for truckers and carriers in the coming week.
Cool Markets for Truckers in the Coming Week
- Demand for flatbed will be low this week in and out of Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Hartford, Conn., and Rapid City, S.D., are expected to be two of the coldest reefer markets for truckers/carriers this week. Demand for reefer capacity will fall for Minot, N.D., in the coming five to seven days.
- Expect demand and rates for dry van capacity in and out of Calgary, Alberta (Canada), to be low this week.
- Macon, Ga., is projected to be one of the least desirable power only markets in the nation in the coming week. Demand for power only will decline for Charlotte, N.C., Jacksonville, Fla., and Jackson, Miss.
Trucker Tools’ Market Insights
- Based on the most recent Trucker Tools data, the five hottest markets for truckers over the next week will be: 1. Southwest Ontario (flatbed), 2. Texarkana, Texas (flatbed), 3. Tucson, Ariz. (reefer), 4. Rapid City, S.D. (dry van), and 5. Portland, Maine (flatbed).
- The five coldest markets for truckers over the five to seven days will be: 1. Hartford, Conn. (reefer), 2. Calgary, Alberta (dry van), 3. Brooklyn, N.Y. (flatbed), 4. Rapid City, S.D. (reefer), and Macon, Ga. (power only).
- Demand for flatbed capacity in and out of Southwest Ontario (Canada) and Portland, Maine, is approximately five times as higher than it was at this time last year for both locations.
- Known as Canada’s industrial heartland, Southwestern Ontario is home to several industrial material, construction, plastics, transportation, green technology and equipment manufacturers.
- Southwest Ontario produces more vehicles than any other region in North America.
- Maine’s industrial sector includes military and defense, aerospace, metal, marine/boat, semi-conductor, wood, textile, plastics, bio-plastics and wireless communications manufacturing, which may be driving demand for flatbed capacity in and out of Portland, Maine.
FreightWaves’ Market and Lane Insights
Our partnership with FreightWaves provides you with even more valuable information on the hottest markets and lanes across the nation. In today’s Daily Watch, FreightWaves reports that shippers are experiencing the highest rejection rates (which measure demand) in Evansville, Sioux Falls, Terre Haute, Dubuque and Rock Island, with more than 50 percent of contracted loads rejected in these markets.
FreightWaves is recommending that you accept tendered loads for Kansas City to Los Angeles this week since West Coast port congestion is likely to give you plenty of reload opportunities back to the Midwest. Ontario to Dallas should be on your radar this week for both reefer and dry van. Consider spot market loads in this lane to take advantage of high demand. While rates for Cincinnati to Dallas have favored brokers and shippers recently, pricing power is projected to shift back to truckers and carries this week, which is why this lane should be one of your targets over the next five to seven days.
Find out what other markets will be hot and cold this week — read Where’s the Freight? Put South Bend, Rapid City, Tucson and St. Louis at the Top of Your List This Week. To download Trucker Tools’ free driver app, visit https://www.truckertools.com/carriers/.
