Freight rates rise as trucking capacity shrinks, despite sluggish demand
Freight volumes for August were better than July … or worse, depending on which report was viewed. In the meantime, spot freight rates may be
Cliff Abbott
- About Cliff Abbott
- Cliff Abbott is an experienced commercial vehicle driver and owner-operator who still holds a CDL in his home state of Alabama. In nearly 40 years in trucking, he’s been an instructor and trainer and has managed safety and recruiting operations for several carriers. Having never lost his love of the road, Cliff has written a book and hundreds of songs and has been writing for The Trucker for more than a decade.
Posts by Cliff Abbott
UPDATE: Carrier alleges unsafe trailers, seeks compensation for fires, repairs and operating costs
UPDATED Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, 12:55 pm Central time On Oct. 2, Blue Edge Marketing Ltd., who handles marketing and communications for Fruehauf, responded to
Good news, bad news: Trucking navigates a chaotic freight market
‘Chaos’ accurately describes current ups and downs of trucking industry Remember that old “fortunately/unfortunately” joke series of long ago? Like the skydiver whose parachute (unfortunately)
The cost of a mile: Higher rates collide with rising expenses
When operational costs are high, knowing your cost per mile helps you make good decisions It took a while to get here, but small trucking
Reality check: No truck driver loves inspections — but everyone loves being safer
Let’s face facts: No driver actually likes DOT inspections. After all, getting inspected by a law enforcement officer has something in common with visiting the
Voice of experience: Choosing the right CDL school lays the foundation for a successful (and safe) driving career
Much has been written in recent days about federal efforts to shut down CDL mills. (If you’ve been living under a rock, so-called “CDL mills”
Beyond appreciation: Demonstrating care, determining fit are critical to recruiting and retention
September is here. That means many of you will be busy preparing to celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, set for September 13-19, 2026. The
Attention truck drivers: Make your voice heard in the federal rulemaking process
I’ve encountered numerous professional truck drivers who believe they don’t have any say in how federal regulations are made and enforced. “I’m just one truck
Fuel prices, seasonal shipping lull impact July-August freight volumes and profitability
It’s the time of year when freight demand slows, and high fuel prices aren’t helping. That’s the consensus among trucking industry analysts. Truckstop.com and FTR
Trucking is getting more expensive. ATRI report explains why
The cost of running a trucking operation continues to climb, with several major expense categories rising faster than inflation, according to the latest analysis from
Trucking Safety 101: Drivers must keep the eye scan moving, prioritize hazards, minimize distractions
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have changed trucking forever. Features like adaptive cruise control, automatic braking, lane centering and blind-spot detection have made the driver’s
Impact of SCOTUS ruling on broker liability: Carriers must be prepared for more broker vetting, tougher standards
The repercussions of the May 14, 2026, ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) on broker liability are still shaking the trucking industry. They cannot
Packing for the road: Being prepared is always a good thing
What to pack for the next road trip often differs from driver to driver and can depend on the characteristics of the job itself. A
Sales of new and used trucks strengthen in June but YTD market still lags behind 2025
In 2025, June was the only month of the year in which U.S. sales of Class 8 trucks outpaced the same month of the previous
June 2026 report: Freight rates and fuel expenses continue climb
As the trucking industry eyes freight rate increases, two major issues continue to roil the markets. One is the on-again, off-again war with Iran and
Connected Vehicle Security Act bill seeks to ban use of technologies from potential U.S. adversaries
We’ve become accustomed to updates. Smartphones, tablets, personal computers — all of these have become essential to daily life for many people. And all of
Free online tools can help small trucking businesses track operating cost per mile and much more
Owners of small trucking businesses know the importance of tracking costs. After all, it’s pretty hard to tell if you’re making any money if you
Don’t be a statistic: Protect yourself and your vehicle by properly executing railroad crossings
The statistics are telling. According to the Federal Railroad Administration, 94 people have died so far in 2026 as a result of vehicle-train collisions. In
CAST’s Tommy Cash handles hazardous loads with skill, eye to safety
In the oil fields around Carlsbad, New Mexico, trucking is a way of life for many. Some drivers spend their entire career in the fields
New drug testing methods may be here soon
The landscape of drug testing for commercial vehicle operators is changing, and it could impact one of your most important job resources, your drug and