Maas Logistics Dispatch

Trucking News Roundup: Post-Holiday Volume Dip, Record Diesel, ELD Revocation Deadline, Canada Tariffs (Sept 10, 2026)

September 10, 2026 · By Maas Logistics Dispatch · 9 min read

Volumes dropped after Labor Day while spot rates held, EIA diesel set a record, the FMCSA ELD revocation deadline landed, and Canada's retaliatory tariffs hit cross-border freight — five stories, plain language, from the dispatch desk in Melissa, Texas.

Volumes fell hard after Labor Day — spot rates didn’t

FreightWaves SONAR showed truckload volumes down nearly 15% on Sept. 9 as the market digested the holiday. The National Truckload Index still sat at $3.44/mile — up about half a percent on the day and roughly 47% higher than a year ago. Daily spot pulled back from a $3.57 spike on Sept. 6 to about $3.40 on Sept. 8, still far above last year’s $2.29. Tender rejections eased a touch to just above 14%, with reefer rejections still above 20% versus van near 12.35%. Van contract linehaul held near $2.72; reefer spot all-in climbed to about $3.84. Intermodal contract rates jumped 3.5% to $1.80/mile as some freight shifted modes.

What it means: A volume dip with firm rates usually means cover is still thin. If you need dry van or reefer out of DFW/Melissa, lock a real asset truck early — request a quote.

Source: FreightWaves — Truckload volumes drop 15% but spot rates stay hot

EIA diesel hits a record $5.967 national average

The Energy Information Administration’s on-highway diesel average for the week of Sept. 7 came in at $5.967/gallon — up 36.8¢ week over week and about $2.20 higher than a year ago. Logistics Management called it the highest EIA weekly national average on record, and the eighth straight week above $5. That number feeds most fuel-surcharge formulas, so all-in spot and contract line items move even when linehaul barely budges. Inventories and overseas refinery disruptions are part of the backdrop; harvest and heating season add seasonal demand on top.

What it means: Expect surcharge pressure on every lane. Carriers that price all-in cleanly beat sticker-shock fights later. Maas runs asset trucks with Samsara ELD — ask for an all-in quote when fuel is this hot.

Sept. 8 ELD revocation deadline: revoked devices = no RODS

FMCSA removed 10 ELDs from the registered list on July 9 after providers failed minimum technical requirements. The agency gave motor carriers 60 days to switch. Beginning Sept. 8, 2026, continuing to use those revoked devices is treated as operating without an ELD. Roadside officers who find one can cite no record of duty status and place the driver out of service under CVSA criteria. A separate August batch (including MOONLIGHT, HGRS, HIGHEST, TRUCKFORD, Sparkle) still has an Oct. 6 replacement clock. Maas runs Samsara — registered gear, not a gray-market box.

What it means: Check your ELD name against FMCSA’s registered/revoked lists before you roll. A cheap logger that gets revoked can put you OOS overnight. Prefer fleets already on known registered systems. Hiring? Company drivers page.

Canada’s retaliatory tariffs hit ~$20B in U.S. goods

On Sept. 8 Canada put retaliatory tariffs of up to 50% on roughly $20 billion of U.S. imports (about C$27.6B), covering steel, aluminum, furniture, apparel, dairy, appliances, and industrial equipment after talks broke down. FreightWaves notes U.S.–Canada trade near $900B in 2025 and trucks moving a huge share of that value. Duties raise landed cost and can scramble sourcing — which shows up as lane imbalances, empty miles, and rate spikes near the northern gateways even when domestic van looks quiet.

What it means: Cross-border plans need backup domestic capacity. Maas covers 48 states from Melissa/DFW on dry van and reefer — useful when northern lanes get weird. Request a quote.

Source: FreightWaves — New Canadian tariffs hit $20B in US goods, pressuring cross-border supply chains

Cross-border trucking already showing imbalance risk

Land Line’s Sept. 4 report on tariff “whiplash” notes July cross-border truck freight value up 24% year over year while weight fell 1% — higher-value loads, not necessarily more pounds. Southbound Canadian entries hit their lowest July level in 15 years in that federal cut. Analysts warn Canadian fleets haul most U.S.–Canada truck freight, so volume swings hit both directions: fewer southbound loads can mean fewer Canadian trucks available for northbound backhauls. Flexibility across customers and industries is the survival play.

What it means: Cross-border seats may get choppy; domestic OTR with a stable asset fleet is the hedge. Maas: company 50+ CPM dry van / 60+ CPM reefer; OO 87–90% gross; non-forced dispatch. Apply on company drivers or owner-operators pages.

Source: Land Line Media — Tariff whiplash throws cross-border trucking out of balance

Running with Maas

Hiring CDL-A company drivers: company driver openings. Owner-operators: lease on with Maas. Need a truck: get a freight quote.

Maas Logistics LLC | 1817 Miller Rd #5, Melissa, TX 75454 | (916) 770-7323 | dispatch@maaslogistic.com

Dallas–Fort Worth | USDOT 3179194 | MC 124881

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