Business
DAT 2026 Freight Focus: Gradual recovery expected for transportation providers as AI reshapes industry operations
BEAVERTON, Ore., December 10, 2025--Truckload transportation providers should not expect a dramatic rebound in the freight market in 2026, according to the latest annual Freight Focus: Transportation & Logistics Outlook report from DAT Freight & Analytics.
About this update from Roper Technologies, Inc.
[{"type":"image","alt":"DAT 2026 Freight Focus: Gradual recovery expected for transportation providers as AI reshapes industry operations","displaySize":"","headline":null,"caption":"DAT 2026 Freight Focus: Gradual recovery expected for transportation providers as AI reshapes industry operations","credit":null,"className":"","disableSlideshowImg":false,"size":{"original":{"width":480,"height":251,"url":"https://media.zenfs.com/en/business-wire.com/d053d31f435f946c73a53f8547f7ca46"},"resized":{"url":"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BoMIBZC3t4.EAm14.HW_Zg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTUwMjtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/business-wire.com/d053d31f435f946c73a53f8547f7ca46","width":480,"height":251}},"lazy":false},{"type":"image","alt":"","displaySize":"","headline":null,"caption":"","credit":null,"className":"","disableSlideshowImg":false,"size":{"original":{"width":480,"height":209,"url":"https://media.zenfs.com/en/business-wire.com/1c395f47250e5c099e856f7ea82eb727"},"resized":{"url":"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/G5zgxK4KpnM034xNmrlG7Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTQxODtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/business-wire.com/1c395f47250e5c099e856f7ea82eb727","width":480,"height":209}}},{"type":"text","content":"BEAVERTON, Ore., December 10, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Truckload transportation providers should not expect a dramatic rebound in the freight market in 2026, according to the latest annual Freight Focus: Transportation & Logistics Outlook report from DAT Freight & Analytics.","length":281,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Truckload pricing has remained inverted—with spot rates below contract rates—for three and a half years, creating unsustainable pressure on motor carriers where expenses have risen far faster than inflation, the report said.","length":224,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"The good news for carriers is that more shippers are prioritizing stability and service over incremental savings on freight transportation.","length":139,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":""In this extended buyer’s market, shippers are making a fundamental shift in their approach to procurement," said Ken Adamo, Chief of Analytics at DAT. "They’re putting carrier viability on par with, or even above, savings. They’re balancing cost efficiency with reliable capacity."","length":302,"tagName":"p"},{...