Full Truckload Freight Rates Rise 8% in January 2026

Full truckload (FTL) freight rates posted an 8% increase in January, driven by seasonal demand and reduced capacity.

Full truckload (FTL) freight rates in the United States posted an 8% increase in January 2026 compared to the same month a year earlier, according to data from the DAT Freight & Analytics index.

This increase represents the largest year-over-year jump in 18 months and signals a possible turning point in the freight market cycle, which had been depressed since mid-2023.

Factors Behind the Increase

• Seasonal demand: Post-holiday inventory restocking
• Reduced capacity: Carriers exiting the market during the freight recession
• Winter weather: Storms in the Midwest limited available capacity
• Regulations: New emissions requirements pulled older trucks off the road

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