Diesel rose 7.6 cents last week to $6.352 a gallon, a fresh squeeze on cash flow for small carriers.
Diesel jumps 7.6 cents
- $6.352 per gallon is the U.S. average retail diesel price for the week of 2026-10-26.
- Up 7.6 cents (1.2%) week over week, so check that fuel surcharges are keeping pace.
- Still down 3.0 cents over four weeks, but the one-week spike hits margins right away.
Source: EIA: Weekly U.S. diesel price, week of 2026-10-26
Schneider swaps CSX for Norfolk Southern
- Schneider is making Norfolk Southern its primary eastern rail provider, replacing CSX.
- The move comes as Norfolk Southern pursues a merger with Union Pacific, which could reshape eastern intermodal lanes.
- Schneider raised its outlook despite a slight Q3 miss, a sign that big fleets see demand holding.
Source: FreightWaves: Schneider partners with Norfolk Southern; raises outlook despite Q3 miss · FreightWaves: Schneider to shift eastern rail business to Norfolk Southern from CSX
Mexico truckers pause national strike
- Mexican trucking leaders have temporarily suspended their nationwide strike over deadly highway crime.
- They say talks must deliver measurable security gains, so cross-border disruptions could return.
Source: FreightWaves: Mexico truckers halt protests, demand action on deadly highway crime
Shipper and LTL signals
- 11% was the jump in Amazon's Q3 shipping costs, driven by higher fuel and linehaul expenses.
- FedEx Freight says LTL volumes are stabilizing and expects Q4 margins to improve.
- FedEx expects a strong peak season, a possible boost for spot demand.
- Covenant's Q3 revenue rose 19.2% to $353.9 million, led by growth in managed freight.
Source: FreightWaves: Amazon battles freight inflation as shipping costs jump 11% in Q3 · FreightWaves: FedEx Freight sees volumes stabilize, eyes Q4 margin improvement · FreightWaves: FedEx cashes in on premium logistics services, fuel surcharges · FreightWaves: First look: Covenant Logistics’ Q3 freight revenue surges 68%
Rates, rail and new freight nodes
- The Fed held its main rate steady despite accelerating inflation, so equipment financing costs stay put for now.
- 26,000 containers a year are targeted to move off the road by Georgia's new inland rail hub, which could cut local drayage.
- $400M Walmart distribution center in Cibolo, Texas, is set to break ground this February.
Source: Supply Chain Dive: Fed holds main interest rate steady despite accelerating inflation · FreightWaves: New Georgia hub aims to take 26,000 containers off the road · Supply Chain Dive: Walmart plans $400M Texas distribution center
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