On March 17, 2026, the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc.® (NMFTA)™ hosted the second insightful webinar in a series: LTL by the Numbers: Exclusive Benchmarking Insights to Help Leaders Navigate What’s Next. The offering shared a candid look at how carriers are navigating a market that’s soft in demand—but disciplined in response.
Drawing on insights from both public and private carriers participating in NMFTA’s LTL Benchmarking Program Group, one theme stood out: while external pressures continue to mount, operational resilience is holding firm.
Here’s What We’re seeing across the industry
🔹 Soft Demand, Increasing Pressure on Performance
Q4 data reflected what many carriers are feeling in real time:
- Shipment volumes declined across much of the industry;
- Private carriers saw shipments per day drop nearly 7%; and
- Operating ratios trended in the wrong direction.
The result: a more challenging operating environment heading into 2026.
🔹 Pricing Discipline Remains a Bright Spot
Despite softer volumes and rising costs, pricing has remained relatively stable.
That stability is notable given ongoing disruption from:
- Tariff impacts;
- Geopolitical uncertainty; and
- Rising fuel costs.
It’s a signal that carriers are maintaining discipline—even under pressure.
🔹 External Disruptions Continue to Shape the Market
Industry leaders, Estes Express Lines’ Richard Ellis and Ward Transport & Logistics’ Tim Mikesic pointed to tariffs as a key inflection point in 2025, softening freight conditions after a strong start to the year.
More recently, Middle East conflict and fuel volatility have added another layer of uncertainty—just as many carriers were looking for momentum heading into 2026.
🔹 Technology and Operations Are Driving Efficiency Gains
The response isn’t reactive—it’s strategic. Carriers are investing in:
- Terminal expansion and network optimization;
- Dimensioning technology; and
- Automation and AI-driven tools.
These investments are already delivering impact, helping reduce circuity, improve planning, streamline claims, and automate administrative workflows.
🔹 Service Performance Is Supporting Pricing Strength
Strong service levels are playing a critical role in sustaining contract pricing—reinforcing that operational execution remains a competitive differentiator.
🔹 NMFC Changes Rolled Out Smoothly
One notable positive: the industry’s transition through the 2025 National Motor Freight Classification® (NMFC)™ changes was largely seamless.
- Minimal disruption reported;
- Little negative feedback; and
- Growing alignment around continued classification modernization.
Why This Matters
The takeaway isn’t that conditions are easy—they’re not.
It’s that LTL carriers are responding with discipline, investment, and long-term thinking.
Even in a market defined by uncertainty, the fundamentals are strengthening:
- Better operational visibility;
- Smarter network design;
- More effective use of technology; and
- Continued alignment around industry standards.
The headwinds are real—but so is the progress.
Unable to join us on March 17? Access the recording so you can hear these insights straight from the experts and apply them to your own business planning:
Join Us in 2026
Tuesday, June 16 at 1:00 pm ET: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_s8TtzYjoQCGts7MnZD3jbA
Tuesday, September 15 at 1:00 pm ET: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IHd_8MgbTXuzsZc5v9XgBg
Tuesday, December 15 at 1:00 pm ET: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JJUmQPb4QK6eYo3ItJ4e7Q
