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Tighter Truck Capacity Boost Freight Rates, ACT

[ August 4, 2026   //   ]

The U.S. for-hire trucking market remained on firmer footing in June as tightening capacity continued to support freight rates, even as freight volumes moderated from May’s cycle high, according to the latest ACT Research For-Hire Trucking Index.

ACT’s seasonally adjusted Volume Index slipped 1.8 points to 65.9 in June from 67.7 in May, but remained in the top 20 percent of readings recorded during the survey’s nearly 17-year history. Researchers said the market continues to be driven more by shrinking capacity than by a broad-based recovery in freight demand.

“Industrial demand has improved with data center investment, and while consumer demand remains soft, falling energy prices and fewer tariffs should support some inventory restocking in the coming months,” Carter Vieth, research analyst at ACT Research, said in a statement. “For-hire volumes should continue to benefit from growing capacity constraints even in a broadly soft demand environment.”

ACT’s Capacity Index rose to 55, its highest level in 43 months, as fleets began adding equipment in response to improving freight rates. Even so, the research firm noted that industrywide capacity remains constrained because Class 8 tractor purchases continue to run below replacement levels after a prolonged freight downturn.

The Supply-Demand Balance Index eased to 60.9 from 64.2 in May, reflecting slightly slower freight volumes alongside modest capacity growth. Despite that rebalancing, ACT said the market remains considerably tighter than it was a year ago, with quality carriers continuing to experience healthy freight demand.

Vieth said capacity additions are expected to accelerate during the second half of the year as higher spot rates flow into contract pricing and carriers begin replacing aging equipment ahead of future emissions regulations. He also pointed to stronger activity in vocational and flatbed freight, while noting that broader goods demand remains sluggish.

For shippers, the report suggests transportation costs are likely to remain elevated in the near term as the trucking industry’s multi-year capacity correction continues to tighten the market, even without a robust economic expansion.

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