CHRW · 10-Q · 2026Q3 · Full report

Freight Capacity and Pricing

C. H. ROBINSON WORLDWIDE, INC. · 2026-10-30 · Importance 53 · Surprise 48 · In source text

North American truckload capacity remained tight as elevated insurance costs, stricter driver requirements, and enforcement actions removed carriers, keeping rates elevated despite muted freight demand; Managed Solutions routing guide depth rose to 1.5 from 1.2 year over year. Truckload spot rates eased from early-quarter peaks, while contract rates continued to rise, and truckload costs per mile increased 33.5% versus a 31.5% increase in customer rates. Ocean capacity was generally sufficient globally, but blank sailings and operational disruptions constrained effective capacity and pushed Trans-Pacific rates higher; Asia-to-Europe capacity recovered somewhat as carriers increased Suez Canal transits. Middle East conflict disrupted airspace and increased jet fuel costs, while technology-related cargo demand tightened air capacity on some lanes.

Key facts

• C.H. Robinson's average truckload linehaul cost per mile, excluding fuel surcharges, increased approximately 33.5% in Q3 2026 versus Q3 2025; its customer linehaul rate increased approximately 31.5%. source
• C.H. Robinson's Managed Solutions truckload routing guide depth averaged 1.5 in Q3 2026, compared with 1.2 in Q3 2025, reflecting a tighter market year over year. source
• In NAST, supply-side market tightening that began in late 2025 continued into 2026 as insurance costs, driver requirements, federal enforcement actions, and other operating challenges removed carrier capacity. source
• Elevated diesel fuel prices and reduced carrier capacity drove higher market pricing and costs across the company's truckload and LTL services. source
• In Q3 2026, North American surface transportation remained tight; truckload spot rates eased from early-quarter peaks as supply pressures moderated and uneven consumer spending limited demand, but rates remained elevated year over year and contract rates continued to adjust higher. source
• Elevated insurance costs, stricter driver requirements, federal enforcement actions, and other operating challenges continued to remove carrier capacity and left the market more sensitive to disruptions because less capacity was available to absorb sudden changes in freight demand. source
• LTL conditions remained stable in Q3 2026, while elevated truckload capacity costs continued to shift freight to LTL; diesel prices remained elevated and added cost pressure to all-in transportation rates. source

Impact estimates