The final Transfix Take of the year arrives at the peak of chaos — and opportunity — in the freight market.
This week, Jenni Ruiz and NFI’s market expert Justin Maze break down one of the most volatile December surges we’ve seen since the pandemic era. With spot rates spiking, winter weather wreaking havoc, and carriers finally regaining the upper hand, Maze walks listeners through what’s driving the sudden escalation — and what it means as we head into 2026.
Jenni and Maze take you region by region across the U.S. to unpack:
• Why national spot rates are climbing faster than expected, with a potential 20¢ jump by New Year’s
• How winter storms and rollover freight are creating a ripple effect across long-haul and cross-country lanes
• The Midwest’s shocking 5%+ breakouts and what’s behind the biggest surge of any region
• Capacity tightening on the West Coast despite minimal weather disruptions
• The looming non-domicile CDL rulings that could reshape Q1 and Q2 capacity
• Whether this is officially the start of the carrier “revenge market”
Maze also shares his early forecast for 2026 — including how January sets the tone, why a 5–8% annual rate increase is firmly on the table, and what brokers must do now to keep carriers aligned heading into the new year.
It’s our last episode of the year — and one of the most insight-packed.
If you’re a freight broker, shipper, or anyone navigating transportation volatility, this is the year-end debrief you don’t want to miss.
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Disclaimer: All views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Transfix, Inc. or any parent companies or affiliates or the companies with which the participants are affiliated, and may have been previously disseminated by them. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based upon information considered reliable, but neither Transfix, Inc. nor its affiliates, nor the companies with which such participants are affiliated, warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such. All such views and opinions are subject to change.
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The final Transfix Take of the year arrives at the peak of chaos — and opportunity — in the freight market.
This week, Jenni Ruiz and NFI’s market expert Justin Maze break down one of the most volatile December surges we’ve seen since the pandemic era. With spot rates spiking, winter weather wreaking havoc, and carriers finally regaining the upper hand, Maze walks listeners through what’s driving the sudden escalation — and what it means as we head into 2026.
Jenni and Maze take you region by region across the U.S. to unpack:
• Why national spot rates are climbing faster than expected, with a potential 20¢ jump by New Year’s
• How winter storms and rollover freight are creating a ripple effect across long-haul and cross-country lanes
• The Midwest’s shocking 5%+ breakouts and what’s behind the biggest surge of any region
• Capacity tightening on the West Coast despite minimal weather disruptions
• The looming non-domicile CDL rulings that could reshape Q1 and Q2 capacity
• Whether this is officially the start of the carrier “revenge market”
Maze also shares his early forecast for 2026 — including how January sets the tone, why a 5–8% annual rate increase is firmly on the table, and what brokers must do now to keep carriers aligned heading into the new year.
It’s our last episode of the year — and one of the most insight-packed.
If you’re a freight broker, shipper, or anyone navigating transportation volatility, this is the year-end debrief you don’t want to miss.
--
Disclaimer: All views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Transfix, Inc. or any parent companies or affiliates or the companies with which the participants are affiliated, and may have been previously disseminated by them. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based upon information considered reliable, but neither Transfix, Inc. nor its affiliates, nor the companies with which such participants are affiliated, warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such. All such views and opinions are subject to change.
Transfix Take | Week of Oct 28 – Rates Hold, Shutdown Lingers, and November Outlooks
Transfix
12 minutes 24 seconds
2 months ago
Transfix Take | Week of Oct 28 – Rates Hold, Shutdown Lingers, and November Outlooks
It’s the calm before the holiday chaos — or is it?
This week on The Transfix Take, Jenni Ruiz and market expert Justin Maze break down how October closed out and what to expect as we roll into November. Despite a government shutdown entering its fourth week and tender volumes hitting an all-time low for October, the national average rate per mile held its ground with a modest 2 % month-over-month gain.
Here’s what’s moving the market:
📊 Rates steady thanks to Midwest strength, while demand stays weak nationwide
🌪 Category 5 hurricane near Jamaica could spark relief freight into South Florida
🌧 Flooding and flash storms slow the South as the Coastal region continues to loosen
🌽 Midwest leads gains, expected to drive national increases through November
🗺 Northeast and South soften, while the West Coast preps for its late-season upswing
🔮 Maze’s November outlook: expect roughly a 2 % national rate bump, driven by holiday volatility and seasonal freight out of the West
With the shutdown stretching on and inflation still in play, Jenni and Maze look ahead to what could make or break the end of 2025 for brokers, shippers, and carriers alike.
This and more on The Transfix Take!
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Disclaimer: All views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Transfix, Inc. or any parent companies or affiliates or the companies with which the participants are affiliated, and may have been previously disseminated by them. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based upon information considered reliable, but neither Transfix, Inc. nor its affiliates, nor the companies with which such participants are affiliated, warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such. All such views and opinions are subject to change.
Transfix
The final Transfix Take of the year arrives at the peak of chaos — and opportunity — in the freight market.
This week, Jenni Ruiz and NFI’s market expert Justin Maze break down one of the most volatile December surges we’ve seen since the pandemic era. With spot rates spiking, winter weather wreaking havoc, and carriers finally regaining the upper hand, Maze walks listeners through what’s driving the sudden escalation — and what it means as we head into 2026.
Jenni and Maze take you region by region across the U.S. to unpack:
• Why national spot rates are climbing faster than expected, with a potential 20¢ jump by New Year’s
• How winter storms and rollover freight are creating a ripple effect across long-haul and cross-country lanes
• The Midwest’s shocking 5%+ breakouts and what’s behind the biggest surge of any region
• Capacity tightening on the West Coast despite minimal weather disruptions
• The looming non-domicile CDL rulings that could reshape Q1 and Q2 capacity
• Whether this is officially the start of the carrier “revenge market”
Maze also shares his early forecast for 2026 — including how January sets the tone, why a 5–8% annual rate increase is firmly on the table, and what brokers must do now to keep carriers aligned heading into the new year.
It’s our last episode of the year — and one of the most insight-packed.
If you’re a freight broker, shipper, or anyone navigating transportation volatility, this is the year-end debrief you don’t want to miss.
--
Disclaimer: All views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Transfix, Inc. or any parent companies or affiliates or the companies with which the participants are affiliated, and may have been previously disseminated by them. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based upon information considered reliable, but neither Transfix, Inc. nor its affiliates, nor the companies with which such participants are affiliated, warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such. All such views and opinions are subject to change.
