Deep Dive
Industry insights from our journalists
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ABF Freight at 100: Investments in workforce, M&A pay off
A local hauler launched in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in 1923 has blossomed over a century into the nation’s largest unionized LTL carrier.
Colin Campbell • Nov. 10, 2023 -
‘Win the sale’: Big Trucking’s attention turns to the 2024 election
The economy is the industry’s top concern, but politics took on a new emphasis this year at an annual trade show.
Colin Campbell • Oct. 31, 2023 -
California diesel prices soar as higher tax takes effect
West Coast fuel costs continue to put pressure on a rough trucking environment, particularly in the Golden State, where prices linger above $6 per gallon.
David Taube • Oct. 13, 2023 -
Retrieved from Casey's.
Why C-store chains are all-in on travel centers
Traditional players like Casey's, QuikTrip and RaceTrac are testing the truck stop market for higher margins and EV charging.
Brett Dworski • Aug. 7, 2023 -
Waste industry braces for ‘bumps and bruises’ in EV rollout as California sets the pace
Haulers and vehicle manufacturers at WasteExpo said they expect a potential collision between regulation-fueled demand and limited supply of battery-electric trucks. Charging infrastructure is also a growing concern.
Jacob Wallace • May 12, 2023 -
Spencer Platt/Trucking Dive, data from Getty Images
Investment firms BlackRock, Vanguard shift stakes across carriers
Top financial juggernauts raised their stakes in carriers such as Knight-Swift but diverged in their investment choices elsewhere. Here's what analysts say matter for the trucking industry in the year ahead.
David Taube • April 7, 2023 -
Rooted in Richmond: How Virginia’s capital spawned 3 LTL giants
The often-intertwined histories of Overnite Transportation Co., Old Dominion Freight Line and Estes Express Lines offer lessons to today’s fleet executives.
Colin Campbell and Shaun Lucas • April 4, 2023 -
Why XPO and its spinoffs expect growth even as Brad Jacobs steps back
The logistics juggernaut has broken up. But incoming executives plan to continue the founder's emphasis on tech integration and creating shareholder value.
Colin Campbell • Nov. 2, 2022 -
How the trucking industry is helping feed a million Floridians after Hurricane Ian
Operation BBQ Relief drew volunteer drivers from across the country to deliver much-needed supplies in the storm’s aftermath.
Colin Campbell • Oct. 10, 2022 -
Why gas tax breaks could 'do little to nothing' to help trucking companies
Despite temporary relief in some states, truckers worry the International Fuel Tax Agreement will negate any savings.
Colin Campbell • March 28, 2022 -
'A lonely profession': How COVID-19 took a toll on drivers' mental health
Two years into a pandemic that's left many drivers isolated, industry experts urge new support systems and more open dialogue.
Katie Pyzyk • March 16, 2022 -
High trucking rates prompt food shippers to wade into logistics
A deluge of freight pushed up prices as shortages of tractors, trailers and replacement parts have kept capacity tight.
Shefali Kapadia • Feb. 14, 2022 -
Battery-electric vs. hydrogen trucks: The debate heads into 2022
As fleets eye a future with zero emissions, industry remains undecided whether BEVs or FCEVs will come out ahead.
Jim Stinson • Jan. 25, 2022 -
Regulations, costs dissuade truck carriers from hauling in the Northeast
Connecticut was once one of the crown business jewels of the Northeast. Now, the state is steadily losing people and, with them, businesses.
Jim Stinson • Jan. 14, 2022 -
Lofty used truck prices forge a divide between large sellers and small buyers
Prices for used trucks, at times exceeding new Class 8 prices, test the financials of owner-operators and small fleets.
Jim Stinson • Dec. 22, 2021 -
Did FMCSA Clearinghouse shrink the driver pool and challenge recruitment?
The answer depends on who in the transport industry you ask.
S.L. Fuller • Nov. 29, 2021 -
Trucking's role in untangling the web of West Coast port congestion
The driver shortage has become a "scapegoat" for bottlenecks as empty containers, low yard productivity, limited space and unavailable chassis converge.
Jim Stinson • Nov. 22, 2021 -
Driver referrals in the age of social media: A modern twist on recruitment
Peer engagement demystifies the industry and creates solidarity among truckers, which can make the job more attractive.
Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 19, 2021 -
Retrieved from Werner on July 06, 2021
Dedicated business booms for fleets as shippers avoid the pricey spot market
With capacity tight, companies are considering the benefits of a private fleet. But, as one Werner executive said, operating one is easier said than done.
Jim Stinson • Oct. 19, 2021 -
The rise of LTL: How e-commerce changed the middle mile
Businesses are shipping smaller quantities of freight more frequently, and it's a pricey business for everyone involved.
S.L. Fuller • Oct. 6, 2021 -
Retrieved from Flickr user Guilhem Vellut on November 13, 2020
What 3G's sunset means for supply chain visibility tech
Trucking is overwhelmed with cargo, and swapping out devices means pulling trailers off the road.
Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Sept. 13, 2021 -
From sapling to pure-play LTL: The story of XPO Logistics under Jacobs
Bradley Jacobs is a relentless numbers man and a serial entrepreneur. And he's one thing neither XPO nor GXO can replace.
Jim Stinson • July 30, 2021 -
Transport execs confront high-stakes decision: remote, office or hybrid work?
USA Truck's business boomed as employees worked from home during the pandemic. Bringing them back means weighing safety, culture and productivity.
Shefali Kapadia • June 23, 2021 -
More frequent, severe wildfires threaten California's growing logistics network
Fires can clog and cut off freight arteries, creating choke points for inventory traveling via truck and rail.
Deborah Abrams Kaplan • June 1, 2021 -
As storms become more frequent and volatile, some ports plan for the risk — but most do not
The interconnectedness of ports leave assets such as warehouses, trucking networks and railroads vulnerable to disruptions from climate change and rising sea levels.
Matt Leonard • June 1, 2021