Truckload Trends to Watch for in 2023

adam • January 5, 2023

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Delving Into the Truckload Market Trends for 2023

Like the trucks that are the industry’s flagship, the truckload freight business is constantly moving. Trucking has been through some up-and-down times over the past three years but has managed to keep rolling along. It will undoubtedly do the same in 2023, no matter what hazards the new year will throw at the industry. That means staying ahead of the curve is so much more important these days.

This article aims to help you do that with a look at some truckload market trends that will likely shape the next 12 months. We will look at the increasing demand, the changes in consumer preferences, the continuing emergence of automation, and the impact of regulations on the business.

Growing Demand for Truckload Freight

According to most numbers, consumers are spending more, and an ever-growing portion of those sales is coming through e-commerce. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce numbers, consumer spending has increased slightly in each of the last three recorded months. Of that spending, e-commerce will account for 20.4% of global retail sales by the end of 2022, up from only 10% five years ago, a recent industry report stated. Both spending and e-commerce sales affect trucking because all those purchased items will need to get to their destinations, and with e-commerce, there are many more unique destinations these days. More items and more destinations mean more truckloads will be needed, and improvements in the e-commerce industry will lead to progress and continue the truckload market trend of growing demand.

But with news of increasing numbers in consumer spending and e-commerce, it is crucial to remember the U.S. economy has been turbulent over the past few years, which could carry over to 2023. Two words that no one wants to hear — inflation and recession — are still a part of many conversations involving the economy.

Another factor that could influence the trucking industry over the next year is the semi-truck shortage in the U.S. During the pandemic, the supply chain was severely affected, which meant the delivery of some things was delayed--sometimes for many months. One of the casualties of that slowdown was the semi-truck manufacturing industry, which could not keep up with the demand for replacement trucks. As a result, older semis that generally would have been replaced over the past two years were forced to continue hitting the blacktop. This pushing of older trucks to endure more increased the likelihood of breakdowns or the need to be retired altogether. With an increasing demand for more trucks to keep up with the rise in products to be shipped, this will remain a pressing issue until the supply of new semis can get back up to speed.

Impact of Shifting Consumer Preferences

One of the most significant changes in consumer preferences has come from the shift to online websites from brick-and-mortar stores. People no longer come to get the product; they want it brought to them. This expectation has changed the dynamic of trucking. E-commerce companies have built warehouses and fulfillment centers in urban areas. Also, intraregional and last-mile truck trips are on the increase.

In tandem with the rise of e-commerce came the demand for faster delivery. Retailers began promising faster shipments which put more pressure on a trucking industry already facing handicaps such as a driver shortage, lower retention rates, and hours-of-service regulations. Truckers have found ways to adapt to these demands. Many are replacing interregional or national hauls with shorter pickup-and-deliver jobs in smaller regions that provide ample home time. Intraregional and last-mile truck trips helped decrease the overall average trip length by 37% from 2000 to 2018, according to an American Transportation Research Institute report, and is one of the truckload market trends that has continued.

The e-commerce boom has presented another unique way the trucking industry has adapted. Drivers must be 21 or older to complete cross-state trips, but in the newly created world of more plentiful local e-commerce deliveries, younger drivers can step up and seize those short-trip job opportunities.

These trends of shorter deliveries and faster times are not going away and will likely become even more acute. So, in the upcoming year and more distant future, the trucking industry must continue adapting to survive as best it can.

How Automation is Affecting Truckload Freight

Automation might be one of the most talked about truckload market trends in 2023. With one Artificial Intelligence (AI) firm planning to introduce its self-driving trucks to highways in the coming year and many others from coast to coast setting their sights on doing the same, it’s fast becoming a popular subject for debate. While many of these self-driving trials still have a safety driver onboard, it’s clear that these vehicles will be a driving force one day.

With these self-driving trucks, the aim is to heighten driver safety and supply chain reliability. Long-haul driving has often been a concern; as drivers get fatigued, the chances of an accident rise with each mile driven on the lengthy journeys on American highways.

Self-driving trucks do not need to stop for mandatory rest periods and drive nearly around the clock. They also use less fuel than human-driven vehicles, producing cash savings and greater environmental sustainability over extended periods. We are still far removed from these vehicles making more than an experimental impact, but they certainly are a truckload market trend that is highly likely to take off in the future. Even the trucks driven by humans benefit from technology that improves functionality and efficiency, as is the tracking and reporting of where shipments are in their journey.

But trucks aren’t the only area of the industry that feels the effects of automation. Fully automated warehouses use automated logistics to carry out all operations, from receiving shipments to processing orders and dispatching goods. These facilities have minimal intervention by operators.

In addition, automated software has made operations throughout the offices of many trucking companies more streamlined and efficient. Data analytics have become a vital tool across the industry in helping show patterns as well as providing forecasts. More and more businesses each year are joining the fold. It’s exceedingly likely that 2023 will continue that trend with technology and automation making more landmark advancements in all areas of trucking.

The Impact of Regulations on Truckload Freight

Regulations will also see changes that affect the trucking industry in 2023. The biggest one is the end of the hours-of-service exemption. Because of the pandemic, truckers hauling relief loads received an exemption from some of the hours-of-service regulations under a federal emergency declaration. After about two and a half years, that has come to an end. What that means is truckers can only drive a maximum of 11 hours after ten consecutive hours off duty, and they cannot drive after 60-70 hours on duty in seven or eight consecutive days. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) did issue a three-month waiver extension for commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders seeking to take a skills test for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and for states administering CDL skills tests until Feb. 28, 2023.

Other possible regulatory changes could have impacts as well:

You can expect amendments to federal safety regulations to ensure the safe introduction of trucks equipped with automated driving systems (ADS). The proposed changes in operations, inspections, repairs, and maintenance regulations aim to put safety and security first while promoting innovation and recognizing the difference between human operators and ADS.
The FMCSA is also looking into potential updates to the regulations for electronic logging devices (ELDs), which automatically record driving time and hours-of-service records. Among the changes under consideration are applying the rules to pre-2000 engines and actions that would allow removing an ELD from FMCSA’s list of certified devices.
For years, Congress has emphasized the importance of research into collision avoidance technology for trucks and at the forefront of that is automatic emergency braking. While it has yet to reach the mandatory stage, it is likely to have a more significant impact in the future.
Another regulatory concern still in the research and development stage is the possible use of data and resources to identify unfit drivers and take them off the roads. It is possible that in the future, a driver’s fitness to operate will be determined by inspection data and other sources of information. A review of this is expected in January 2023.
Changes to broker-freight forwarder financial responsibility requirements and truck speed limiters are also on the docket of subjects being pursued.

Let EFS Help Keep You Up With the Trends

The world of trucking is ever-changing, and 2023 should be no exception with truckload market trends such as:

Greater demand.
Consumer preferences are constantly transitioning.
Automated technology continues to break barriers.
The possibility of regulation changes.

It’s not hard to see that the upcoming year will be busy for every stage of the trucking industry. So busy that it might be helpful to have a partner to help you through these hectic times. Whether it be freight management, full truckload concerns, or anything in between, Entourage Freight Solutions can be just the ticket to help you reach the nth degree in ’23. Head to the EFS website for a freight quote request today.

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Tariffs, Trade Policy, and the Great Freight Fallout

By Nick Terry • April 28, 2025

In 2025, trade policy is no longer something that the freight industry can leave on the back burner. Trade policy today is shaping strategy at every level. From tariff escalations and retaliatory duties to sweeping regulatory changes and targeted maritime fees, supply chain leaders are navigating a freight market in which unpredictability is the only constant. Sourcing decisions are shifting, pricing dynamics are unstable, and long-standing operational models are being rewritten in real time. This edition brings together key stories highlighting the growing pressure across logistics channels. Each development points to an industry moving fast, and often reactively, to keep pace with volatile policy decisions. Tariffs Stall US Freight Recovery as Shippers Pause Orders The recent move by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to impose entrance fees on Chinese-built ships calling U.S. ports has only added to the confusion and uncertainty gripping global supply chains and freight operations. Shippers are pausing plans and slashing orders, with truckload volumes, containerized imports, and manufacturing output all showing signs of contraction. Ocean freight spot rates have collapsed: Asia-U.S. West Coast rates have fallen 61% since January to $2,050 per FEU, while East Coast rates have dropped 53.7% to $3,100 per FEU . Blank sailings are rising, with vessels leaving Asia half-empty. Amazon and Five Below are among the major retailers reducing orders from Asia. Container imports jumped 15.3% in 2024, but forecasts now predict a 20-27% decline through the summer. Exporters, particularly agriculture and forestry suppliers, are also squeezed, facing 125% retaliatory tariffs from China. Truckload and intermodal rates remain stagnant, while U.S. factory output fell sharply in March. US Apparel Importers Brace for Long-Term Volume Declines According to Trade Partnership Worldwide, a 124.1% tariff on Chinese clothing and footwear is expected to reduce U.S. apparel imports by 1.6% annually . China still accounts for 41.7% of apparel shipments, leaving limited flexibility for diversion. The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) is warning of price hikes and mounting infrastructure stress as sourcing pivots toward Vietnam, India, and Indonesia. A looming May 2 deadline for de minimis exemptions could further complicate flows and delay deliveries. Even with a temporary 90-day pause in reciprocal tariffs, the policy uncertainty already affects long-term planning. AAFA CEO Steve Lamar calls the shifting policies “chaotic,” and warned that high tariff pressure will hit both importers and U.S. manufacturers reliant on Chinese components. Port and rail capacity limitations at larger gateways are adding to concerns. Retailers now face rising costs, shrinking margins, and operational delays — all while consumer demand continues to shift rapidly. Freight Pricing Gains Lose Momentum According to the TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index, Q1 truckload rates rose 5.9% above the 2018 baseline, but are expected to decline slightly in Q2. Shippers are responding to tariff threats with aggressive front-loading and shorter-haul routes, driving per-shipment costs to three-year lows. LTL carriers remain focused on profitable lanes and high-quality freight rather than chasing volume. The index forecasts a 0.7% year-over-year increase in LTL rate per pound for Q2 , despite sustained demand softness and macro uncertainty. A key driver behind the softening spot market conditions is a shift to shorter hauls and regionalized distribution, pushing per-shipment costs to their lowest point in more than three years. This trend reflects how retailers and manufacturers are repositioning inventory in response to tariff volatility, as NRF’s Jonathan Gold and DAT analyst Dean Croke noted. Meanwhile, the LTL sector is seeing a 4% rise in fuel surcharges, offsetting lower weights and shorter hauls. With the freight market still under pressure after 26 months of contraction, optimism remains subdued as we enter the midyear period. US Truckload Freight Spot Rates Continue to Fluctuate National benchmark rates have experienced a decline across all categories. As of April 18, dry van decreased by 4 cents to $1.62, reefer by 2 cents to $1.88 , and flatbed by 3 cents to $2.16. This marked the first overall decrease since late January, signaling potential shifts in market dynamics. These changes can be attributed to factors such as tariff uncertainties and tighter capacity, especially affecting the flatbed market. Flatbed rates rely heavily on manufacturing activity in the country, which has been particularly hard-hit by the ongoing trade war with China, and to some extent, with the rest of the world. US Finalizes Tiered Fee Plan Targeting Chinese Ships The U.S. is moving forward with a revised plan to levy voyage-based fees on Chinese-owned and Chinese-built ships calling at American ports. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the measure as part of a broader Trump administration effort to counter China’s dominance in shipbuilding and logistics while reigniting domestic ship construction and port infrastructure investment. Starting in six months, Chinese operators will be charged $50 per net ton, with an annual increase of $30 for three years . Non-Chinese carriers using Chinese-built vessels will face lower rates, beginning at $18 per ton or $120 per container, with annual increases. The USTR capped fee applications at five voyages per vessel annually, scaling back its original, more punitive per-port-call proposal after intense industry pushback. The fees are tied to findings from a USTR investigation, which concluded that China’s shipbuilding dominance — producing 29% of global fleet capacity and 70% of all container ships on order — stemmed from unfair trade practices. Exemptions apply to ships arriving empty, those in the Great Lakes or U.S. territories, and some bulk exports. LNG vessel transport restrictions will phase in over 22 years to support U.S. production. China’s largest container carrier, Cosco Shipping Lines, has sharply criticized the USTR’s plan. In a strongly worded statement, Cosco labeled the move as “discriminatory,” and warned it would disrupt global industrial and supply chain stability. Cosco denied allegations from that USTR investigation that claimed China manipulated its shipping and shipbuilding sectors to gain an unfair advantage. The carrier said it upholds “integrity, transparency, and compliance” in global competition and remains committed to ensuring the resilience of international trade. Walmart Investing $6B in Mexico, Central America Store Expansion Walmart of Mexico and Central America will invest $6 billion to open new stores across the region , reinforcing its long-term commitment to growth in Latin America. The expansion will include Bodega Aurrera, Walmart Supercenters, Sam’s Club, and Walmart Express formats, building on a robust network of 3,200 stores across all 32 Mexican states. This latest move echoes Walmart’s earlier $1.3 billion investment in 2016 for regional distribution and operational upgrades. The retailer entered the Mexican market in 1991 with a Sam’s Club in Mexico City. In a statement, Walmart said the new expansion reflects confidence in the region’s economic potential and consumer demand. Globally, Walmart continues to invest aggressively in infrastructure and store development. The company has pledged about $4.5 billion for its Canadian operations and $1.3 billion in Chile to build 70 new stores and a distribution center. In the U.S., Walmart is executing a five-year plan to build or convert more than 150 stores while modernizing 650 existing locations under its “Store of the Future” initiative. Experience Seamless Shipping with Entourage Freight Solutions Entourage Freight Solutions believes in total transparency in the shipping process. That is why we invest in tech solutions that track every shipment extensively, monitor every driver, and extract every bit of efficiency without sacrificing quality. Our state-of-the-art platform utilizes cloud-based GPS tracking to keep you informed, reroutes shipments on the fly to avoid delays, and even responds to real-time market changes to ensure you receive your shipment on time and as soon as possible. Our Services Full Truck Load (FTL): When you need a truck all to yourself. Less-Than-Truckload (LTL): Efficient solutions for multi-stop shipments or combining smaller loads to save on costs. Refrigerated Trucking: Keeping your temperature-sensitive products fresh and safe. Cross-Docking: Strategically located facilities in Shelby, Ohio, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Romulus, Michigan, for streamlined consolidation, storage, and distribution. Ready to experience a new level of service and control in your freight shipping? Request a quote today to see how Entourage Freight Solutions can help with your freight movement and other supply chain needs.