Analyzing the truckload volume surge

The unprecedented surge in contracted truckload volumes in the United States over the past few weeks demands reflection and analysis because of what it reveals about freight patterns in the coronavirus era and what may happen going forward.

In this piece, we analyze contracted truckload volume growth by geography, equipment type and length of haul. We found that refrigerated loads on the short end of the mileage band (under 450 miles) originating in East Coast markets are outperforming the rest of truckload freight, consistent with a thesis around consumer food-hoarding.