Maas Logistics Dispatch

Trucking News Roundup: AAA Diesel $6.27 Record, DAT August Spot Pullback, C.H. Robinson 2027 Forecast, FMCSA CDL School List, Broker Liability Suit (Sept 16, 2026)

September 16, 2026 · By Maas Logistics Dispatch · 8 min read

Diesel broke its record again, DAT logged the steepest July-to-August spot drop in its 16-year history, C.H. Robinson pushed a 2027 truckload call, FMCSA named 111 CDL schools in the emergency shutdown, and a brokered reefer load is now a liability lawsuit — five stories from the dispatch desk in Melissa, Texas.

AAA diesel hits fresh national record $6.27; California average $8.21

AAA, with prices as of Sept. 15, 2026, put the national diesel average at $6.2694 a gallon — a new all-time high. That compares with $6.2301 the day before, $5.9012 a week earlier, and $3.6858 a year ago.

The Wall Street Journal reported Sept. 15 that U.S. diesel hit a fresh record of $6.27 on Tuesday, with the California average at $8.21. ABC7 San Francisco reported Sept. 16 that California statewide diesel sat at $8.21 against a national average near $6.26, with some Bay Area stations approaching $9 a gallon. AAA Northern California’s Doug Johnson said diesel hit an all-time high yesterday, then broke the record again today.

What it means: Fuel is now the dominant cost on many OTR days. Price the whole lane, not just linehaul. Maas runs dry van and reefer FTL out of Melissa and DFW — asset-based, never re-brokered. Shippers can get a lane quote.

DAT: steepest July-to-August spot pullback in 16 years

DAT Freight & Analytics reported Sept. 15 that national average truckload spot rates fell across all three equipment types in August — the steepest July-to-August declines in DAT’s 16-year rate history. Van spot linehaul dropped 20 cents to $2.19 a mile, reefer fell 14 cents to $2.61, and flatbed fell 20 cents to $2.70.

Van and reefer spot rates slid back under contract rates after briefly topping them in June and July: van spot $2.19 against contract $2.41, reefer spot $2.61 against contract $2.65. The DAT Truckload Volume Index declined month over month across equipment. Fuel surcharges climbed with diesel — roughly 70 cents a mile on van (up 8 cents from July), about 77 cents on reefer (up 10 cents), and about 84 cents on flatbed (up 10 cents).

What it means: The summer peak cooled into August, but fuel still eats the all-in. Asset-based carriers with disciplined CPM stay bankable. Shippers needing DFW or Melissa dry van and reefer cover can get a quote; CDL-A drivers can look at company driver openings or lease on as an owner-operator.

Source: DAT via coverage dated Sept. 15, 2026 — spot van rate falls 20 cents in steepest August pullback on record

C.H. Robinson: 2027 truckload forecast — supply still exits, rates climb slower

C.H. Robinson’s North America truckload update, published Sept. 3, 2026, says spot rates remain elevated but are cooling from early-July peaks. The broker trimmed its 2026 dry van cost-per-mile forecast to up 30% year over year and refrigerated to up 31%. For 2027 it calls dry van up 10% and refrigerated up 11%. Its first-ever flatbed forecast is up 28% for 2026 and up 10% for 2027.

The fundamentals behind those numbers have not changed: elevated insurance, stricter driver requirements, and federal enforcement keep pulling capacity out. Route guide depth averaged 1.35 in August across North America and 1.52 on hauls over 600 miles. In C.H. Robinson’s Voice of Carrier commentary, carriers report double-digit insurance increases and higher deductibles, a preference for dedicated and round-trip work over transactional freight, and hiring standards that stay high.

What it means: Capacity is still the story even when spot cools seasonally. Shippers should lock reliable asset-based trucks — start with a quote. Drivers and owner-operators can apply at company drivers or owner-operators.

Source: C.H. Robinson — September 2026 North America truckload freight market update

FMCSA publishes 111 CDL schools in emergency shutdown roster

FreightWaves reporting carried by ProduceWire on Sept. 15 says FMCSA’s Aug. 31 emergency crackdown on entry-level driver training providers covered 111 entries across 20 states, plus online operations and providers listed as inactive or unknown. The reconstructed roster breaks down to 84 brick-and-mortar schools, 23 online operations, and 4 unknown or inactive.

States with the largest counts include Pennsylvania at 13, with more spread across Ohio, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, Washington and others. Carriers and new CDL applicants need to confirm an ELDT provider is still approved before paying tuition.

What it means: Documented, roadside-ready CDL-A experience matters more when the mills close. Maas hires company drivers and owner-operators — no school affiliations, no MVR minimums invented here.

Source: The Produce Wire — FMCSA names CDL schools swept into nationwide emergency shutdown

Broker liability: C.H. Robinson, Unilever sued over catastrophic crash

FreightWaves reported Sept. 15 that plaintiffs sued C.H. Robinson, Conopco (Unilever), and United States Cold Storage over a crash involving a refrigerated Bakersfield-to-Rialto Target load.

The complaint alleges the bill of lading listed C.H. Robinson as motor carrier, the load was brokered to VVS Trans, and the truck that showed up carried different placards and a different DOT number. It further alleges US Jet’s motor carrier authority had been revoked for nearly a year and that the load was reassigned or double-brokered. Claims include negligent carrier selection and failure to verify the arriving carrier at pickup.

What it means: Asset-based, never re-brokered capacity cuts the double-broker risk shippers worry about. Maas hauls on its own trucks — send us the lane. Hiring CDL-A: company drivers and owner-operators.

Source: FreightWaves — C.H. Robinson and its customer Unilever sued over catastrophic crash

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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