Freight Data Indicate Early US Industrial Rebound as Midwest Truck Volumes Jump

Analysts say freight activity tends to turn ahead of broader industrial indicators, as manufacturers move inputs and finished goods before investment and hiring

A semi truck in Washington, on Nov. 21, 2025. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

U.S. freight markets are showing signs of a shift toward domestically driven industrial activity, with truckload volumes rising sharply in the Midwest even as import-related flows remain subdued, according to new data and industry commentary.

Truckload volumes are up about 8 percent year over year, driven by increased activity in traditional industrial corridors tied to autos and heavy machinery, FreightWaves founder and CEO Craig Fuller said in a Feb. 9 video.