Trucking News Roundup: Dyed Diesel Allowed on Highways, C.H. Robinson to Buy RXO, Spot Rates Climb on Soft Demand, Driverless Freight Starts Dallas–Houston, Roadside Blitzes Sideline Hundreds (Oct 6, 2026)

Executive order lets dyed diesel run on highways, defers the federal excise tax

White House fact sheet (Oct 5, 2026) and CNBC (Oct 6, 2026): President Trump signed an order Monday that temporarily allows off-road red-dyed diesel — normally limited to farms, construction and other off-highway use — to be burned on public roads, and tells Treasury to defer the federal excise tax on that on-road use through the rest of 2026 with no interest or penalties, while looking at ways to cancel the deferred tax altogether. Highway diesel normally carries a 24.4-cent federal excise tax.

The order also asks DOT to coordinate with states and industry on access to dyed diesel and asks the White House intergovernmental office to push more states to match the federal move; the White House says truckers could save more than $100 per fill-up. CNBC noted that on-road use of dyed diesel has been treated as illegal tax evasion, and that several states had already loosened their own rules this year.

What it means: The federal side is deferred, but state fuel taxes and roadside enforcement depend on what each state does — check your state's guidance before you fill up with red fuel. Class A drivers who want fuel handled by the company — company drivers. Owner-operators running on 87–90% of gross — owner-operators. Shippers watching fuel surcharges — get a freight quote.

• Source: White House fact sheet: President Donald J. Trump promotes diesel affordability
• Source: CNBC: US diesel fuel prices, Iran, Ukraine, energy crisis

C.H. Robinson agrees to buy RXO in a $5.8 billion deal

Land Line (Oct 5, 2026): C.H. Robinson announced a definitive agreement Monday to acquire RXO, paying $17.25 in cash plus 0.0856 of a Robinson share for each RXO share — about $30.25 a share. The companies expect to close in the first half of 2027 pending regulatory and RXO shareholder approval, project more than $25 billion in combined annual revenue on 2026 estimates, and target about $300 million in yearly cost savings within two years of closing.

Robinson pitched more loads and better matching for carriers; Land Line pointed out that a bigger load pool does not create more freight or better-paying freight, and that consolidation raises questions about rates and human support.

What it means: More of the brokered market sits with fewer, bigger players. That's one reason we stay asset-based and never re-broker — the truck you book is ours. Owner-operators who want steady dispatch without chasing board loads — owner-operators. Company seats — company drivers. Shippers who want a direct carrier — get a freight quote.

• Source: Land Line: C.H. Robinson to buy RXO — what could it mean for truckers?

Spot rates keep rising while freight volumes cool

FreightWaves (Oct 5, 2026): Dry van spot rates including fuel reached about $3.55 a mile in early October — more than 10% above late August and roughly 50% above a year ago — but FreightWaves' Julie Van de Kamp said fuel and tight capacity, not demand, are behind the move. The DTS truck-stop diesel price reached $6.39; accepted tender volumes slipped nearly 3% in a week and are about 20% below the June peak; outright rejections eased to about 13.79% from a mid-September peak of 14.67%.

The van contract index VCRPM1 hit 270 on Sept. 17, its highest since 2022, and she expects spot rates to stay firm.

What it means: A market tight on trucks and drivers, not on freight, rewards carriers that keep qualified drivers seated. Serious CDL-A drivers — company drivers / owner-operators. Shippers budgeting Q4 lanes — get a freight quote.

• Source: FreightWaves: Truckload spot rates keep rising, but demand isn't why

Texas: Volvo and Waabi start driverless customer freight on Dallas–Houston

Volvo Autonomous Solutions (Oct 5, 2026): Volvo Autonomous Solutions and Waabi began their first customer operation, hauling freight for Warp, an LTL and full-truckload network, with the Volvo VNL Autonomous running the Waabi Driver along the Dallas–Houston corridor and delivering straight to third-party facilities. For now, the hauls run with an observer in the driver's seat.

The companies said what they learn on this lane will be used to prepare additional routes.

What it means: Following Kodiak's I-45 plans in yesterday's roundup, Dallas–Houston is becoming the test track for autonomy — but day-to-day Texas freight still moves with a qualified human behind the wheel. DFW hiring — company drivers / owner-operators. Dallas to Houston truckload — get a freight quote.

• Source: Volvo Autonomous Solutions: Volvo and Waabi kick off customer operations in Texas

Roadside blitzes sideline hundreds of drivers and trucks

The Logistic News (Oct 5, 2026): Enforcement operations in the U.S. and Canada from mid-September through Oct. 1 put at least 124 drivers and 226 vehicles or loads out of service. FMCSA's "Operation Saturday Night Fever" with DHS and state police in the Carolinas, Florida and Georgia ran 552 inspections and sidelined 78 drivers and 25 vehicles, including 12 drivers for English-language-proficiency violations.

In Texas, DPS and Midland police ran Level I inspections on Oct. 1 that found tire, brake, suspension and air-line problems, and Krugerville police stopped two trucks whose drivers had no license at all.

What it means: Inspectors are checking the driver as hard as the truck — CDL status, English proficiency, logs, brakes and tires. Hiring drivers with a valid Class A CDL and a current DOT medical card — company drivers / owner-operators. Shippers who want a carrier with a Satisfactory safety rating — get a freight quote.

• Source: The Logistic News: US, Canada truck enforcement blitzes sideline 350 drivers, vehicles

For shippers (Tuesday lane note)

Fuel and capacity, not volume, are pushing rates this fall. If you ship dry van or reefer full truckload out of Dallas–Fort Worth — including the Dallas to Houston lane — send the lane, weight and pickup window through the quote form and a dispatcher returns pricing the same business day.

Maas Logistics is a 15-truck, asset-based carrier out of Melissa, Texas with Samsara ELD tracking and a Satisfactory safety rating; your load is never re-brokered.

What it means: Dallas to Houston truckload — full lane details. Ready to move freight — get a freight quote. Hiring CDL-A drivers out of Melissa/DFW — company drivers / owner-operators.