.png)
The freight market is always changing, and one of the biggest developments heading into fall is a noticeable tightening in available transportation capacity.
According to the July 2026 Logistics Managers’ Index, transportation capacity fell to a reading of 28.4. Because any reading below 50 indicates contraction, that represents a significant reduction in available capacity.
In fact, July tied for the second-fastest contraction in transportation capacity recorded in the nearly 10-year history of the index.
For shippers, that does not mean trucks are suddenly unavailable everywhere. It does mean that the freight environment is becoming less forgiving when loads are booked at the last minute.
Transportation capacity refers to the amount of available trucking resources in the market relative to the amount of freight that needs to move.
When capacity is plentiful, shippers generally have more options when looking for a truck.
When capacity tightens, those options can become more limited.
That can be especially noticeable on:
July marked the eighth consecutive month of contracting transportation capacity, according to the Logistics Managers’ Index.
That makes advance planning increasingly important as the industry moves toward the traditional fall and holiday freight season.
One sign of the changing market is how far in advance freight is being scheduled.
The July LMI report found that by late July, tender bookings were being made an average of 3.74 days before the shipment needed to move, approximately 11% earlier than during the same period last year.
That is an important trend for shippers.
When capacity is loose, waiting until the last minute may still leave plenty of transportation options. In a tighter environment, shorter lead times can make it harder to find the right carrier, equipment or pickup window.
Giving your transportation provider additional notice can create more time to identify the right solution instead of simply finding whichever truck happens to be available.
The timing of the capacity contraction is also worth watching.
The traditional fall freight season can bring changes in demand as companies prepare inventories, agricultural products move, construction projects continue and retailers begin preparing for the end of the year.
At the same time, transportation utilization remains elevated.
The July Logistics Managers’ Index measured Transportation Utilization at 65.0, which still represents expansion even after slowing from unusually high levels in June.
A combination of continued freight activity and reduced available capacity can create more competition for trucks on certain lanes.
National freight data provides a useful picture of the overall market, but trucking conditions are rarely identical everywhere.
Capacity can vary considerably based on:
A dry van shipment moving between two major freight markets may have completely different capacity conditions than a flatbed, expedited or specialized shipment.
That is why national market trends should be used as a planning tool rather than a prediction of what will happen with every individual load.
In a tightening freight market, one of the most valuable things a shipper can provide is time.
Sharing upcoming freight needs early allows transportation providers to begin identifying capacity, evaluating routing options and coordinating with carriers before the shipment becomes urgent.
Even when every detail is not finalized, providing forecasts or expected shipping volumes can make the planning process easier.
For recurring freight, consistent communication can also help establish more reliable capacity on important lanes.
Planning ahead does not always mean changing the way freight moves.
Sometimes small adjustments can create significantly more transportation options.
That could include:
The more information available before a shipment needs to move, the more opportunity there is to find a transportation solution that fits the load.
The July Logistics Managers’ Index suggests that transportation capacity could remain constrained beyond the immediate fall season.
Survey respondents projected a future Transportation Capacity reading of 40.4, which would still represent contraction over the next 12 months.
No freight market moves in a straight line, and conditions will continue to vary by lane, region and equipment type.
But the broader message for shippers is straightforward:
Waiting until the last minute may become more difficult as available trucking capacity tightens.
Planning freight earlier, communicating upcoming needs and maintaining flexibility can give shippers more options as the market changes.
At RCS Freight Services, our team works with shippers to coordinate transportation across a wide range of freight needs and equipment types. Staying ahead of changing market conditions helps us focus on finding the right solution for each shipment.