Freight Nation was hosted by Brent Hutto for three years, building a loyal audience. Hutto is passing the reins to new co-hosts Todd Waldron, vice president of carrier experience, and John Howland, director of broker sales. Combined, Waldron and Howland bring more than 40 years of industry experience to the show.

“Running a freight business can feel overwhelming,” Waldron said. “Rate swings, fraud risks, and compliance updates. There’s plenty of talk in this industry, but genuine insight is hard to find. That’s why each week we focus on what is working right now, so listeners have timely, relevant information they can use to address business challenges.”

Behind the Freight builds on Truckstop.com’s commitment to equipping carriers and freight professionals with tools, information, and strategies to manage daily operations and long-term business growth.

“Understanding the market is one thing,” Howland said. “Knowing how it affects daily operations is another. By talking to people involved in freight operations, we get insights that help listeners prepare for what’s coming.”

Each episode features conversations with freight professionals about the issues that matter most, including market trends, fraud prevention, compliance, and operational efficiency. The podcast connects broader industry developments with the practical decisions drivers and brokers face every day.

“Every episode goes beyond the headlines,” Truckstop said. “The focus is on connecting broader industry trends with the decisions people make every day, without losing sight of the human side of the business. That mirrors what Truckstop.com has always stood for. Serving this industry means showing up for the people in it, not just the freight they move.”

The debut episode, titled Why Trucking Is About People, Not Just Freight (And Why That’s More Profitable), brings the transition full circle. Hutto joins Waldron and Howland to reflect on how relationships have shaped his career, why carriers remain the industry’s backbone, and how regulatory changes can create major shifts in the market.

The relaunch coincides with the Mid-America Trucking Show, where Truckstop.com is a sponsor. Waldron and Howland will record three live episodes at booth #16160, giving attendees the chance to hear discussions in real time.

New episodes of Behind the Freight will be released bi-weekly. Listeners can subscribe to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube to stay up to date with actionable insights that help drivers and freight professionals succeed in a dynamic market.

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While the increase points to some stabilization, overall freight levels remain subdued compared to recent years.

Freight Volumes Improve but Remain Soft

ATA’s advanced seasonally adjusted For Hire Truck Tonnage Index reached 112.9 in December, up from 112.4 in November. The index uses 2015 as its base year at 100 and reflects changes in tonnage hauled by for-hire carriers.

December’s reading represented a 0.9 percent increase compared with the same month in 2024, after year-over-year declines in September and October. Despite that improvement, freight activity for the quarter showed continued weakness.

“For the fourth quarter, the index average fell 1.8% from the third quarter, the largest sequential quarterly decline since the second quarter of 2023, and was down 0.3% from the final three months in 2024,” ATA said.

The seasonally adjusted gain for November remained unchanged from what ATA first reported in its December 23 press release.

Economic Headwinds Continue to Weigh on Freight

ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said broader economic conditions are still limiting freight growth, even with back-to-back monthly gains.

“Despite two consecutive gains, tonnage remains at low levels as the freight metric contracted a total of 2.7% in September and October,” Costello said. “Soft manufacturing and construction activity are continuing to suppress freight levels, as they did for much of last year. For 2025 in total, tonnage rose just 0.1% over the 2024 average, although it was the first annual gain since 2022.”

Those sectors play a major role in freight demand, and continued softness there has kept trucking volumes from rebounding more strongly.

Raw Tonnage Shows Sharper Month-to-Month Jump

On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, which reflects raw changes in freight hauled, the index showed a larger month to month increase. The not seasonally adjusted index rose to 111.9 in December, compared with 107.3 in November, a 4.3 percent increase.

Seasonal shipping patterns often drive larger swings in the raw data at the end of the year, particularly around holiday-related freight.

What the Data Signals Going Into 2026

For truck drivers and industry stakeholders, December’s numbers suggest freight conditions may be stabilizing after a volatile fall, but not yet strengthening in a meaningful way. The modest gains point to slow forward momentum rather than a sharp recovery.

ATA’s data reinforces that freight demand entering 2026 remains closely tied to broader economic performance, particularly in manufacturing and construction sectors that will continue to shape trucking volumes in the months ahead.

Source: The Trucker

The post ATA Truck Tonnage Index Posts Modest December Increase appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Why Use Multiple Load Boards?

Each load board has its unique strengths, and no single platform can consistently deliver the best loads or rates all the time. For example, DAT is well-known for its massive freight network and detailed rate analytics, making it a favorite for drivers needing broad, national coverage. Truckstop offers strong filtering and broker reviews, helping drivers find specialized freight like flatbeds or refrigerated loads.

Amazon Relay provides regional contract blocks and trailer-supplied loads through an easy-to-use app, which is perfect for drivers seeking consistent volume in specific areas. Uber Freight and Convoy emphasize quick, app-driven bookings with upfront pricing, making them attractive for tech-savvy carriers looking for fast spot loads. Finally, Trucker Path stands out as a multifunctional tool that blends load search with real-time parking, fuel prices, and routing, helping drivers plan their trips smarter.

Building Your Load Board Stack

Most experienced drivers start with a core load board like DAT or Truckstop to scan a wide variety of freight. Layering Amazon Relay on top provides access to regional contract loads and quick turnarounds with trailer-included options, which can be a game changer for keeping schedules full. Adding Uber Freight and Convoy apps brings the flexibility to grab spot loads when you’re near major freight hubs, while Trucker Path helps fill in logistics gaps, offering parking spots, fuel prices, and routing advice along the way.

When freight markets soften or rates drop, this diversified approach helps reduce downtime and deadhead miles. It also broadens the opportunities to find better-paying loads by comparing offers across platforms.

Timing and Smart Searching Matter

To make the most of multiple load boards, set up real-time alerts on your primary platforms like DAT and Truckstop. These notifications let you jump on prime loads as soon as they hit the market. Using filters effectively—such as setting minimum rate-per-mile thresholds or targeting specific equipment types—saves time by cutting out low-profit gigs.

Many drivers note that loads posted early in the day on platforms like Amazon Relay may initially have lower rates, but these can increase throughout the day if they remain unclaimed, especially during busy seasons like summer or the holidays. Refreshing your searches strategically helps you catch these better-paying loads before others do.

Balancing Contract Blocks and Spot Loads

Amazon Relay offers both contract blocks—allowing you to schedule a set of loads in advance for steady income—and spot loads for added flexibility. Combining these with spot loads found on DAT, Uber Freight, or Convoy lets drivers balance predictable revenue with the chance to capitalize on higher spot rates when market conditions allow.

What About Rates and Market Realities?

Rates fluctuate based on many factors: seasonality, region, freight demand, and competition. Public driver forums and market reports show that Amazon Relay rates can sometimes start lower compared to other boards, particularly during softer market periods. However, during peak demand months like December or major sales events, rates often improve significantly.

Platforms like DAT provide regular market rate data across lanes, allowing drivers to compare and pick the best-paying loads. Using multiple boards gives you a broader view and helps you avoid accepting underpaid runs.

Understanding Requirements and Compliance

Before you can start booking, each load board has specific requirements. Amazon Relay typically requires you to have active DOT authority for at least 180 days, a valid MC number, insurance coverage, and a good safety rating from FMCSA. DAT and Truckstop are generally open to authorized carriers but offer additional features like broker credit scores and rate analytics on paid plans. Uber Freight and Convoy usually require basic carrier documentation and a clean safety record, with an online onboarding process.

Keeping your paperwork and compliance in order isn’t just a formality—it’s essential to stay eligible and trusted across all platforms.

Creating a System That Works for You

Here’s a practical approach many owner-operators and small fleets use:

1. Subscribe to DAT One or Truckstop to access broad freight opportunities.
2. Register for Amazon Relay to access regional contract blocks and trailer-included loads.
3. Download Uber Freight and Convoy apps for quick, flexible spot loads.
4. Use Trucker Path for real-time trip planning, parking, and fuel updates.
5. Set up alerts and filters on all platforms to target profitable freight.
6. Track your miles, wait times, and payment schedules to manage cash flow.
7. Review your load board mix monthly to adapt to changing market conditions.

Stacking load boards isn’t just a smart strategy—it’s critical to staying competitive and profitable. No single platform can guarantee steady, high-paying freight every day. By diversifying your load sources with tools like DAT, Amazon Relay, Uber Freight, and others, you stay ahead of market swings, reduce downtime, and maximize earnings.

The post How Smart Drivers Stack Multiple Load Boards for More Miles and Better Pay appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.