Trucking News Roundup: Contract Rates Hit a 52-Week High, Alabama Eases IRP/IFTA for Hurricane Isaias Relief Haulers, Texas Diesel Waiver Comes With an Engine Warning, Cargo Theft Ring Convicted, Small Carriers Ask Congress to Pause Diesel Exports (Oct 10, 2026)

Contract rates reach a 52-week high of $2.72 a mile

FreightWaves SONAR market update (Oct 9, 2026): Truckload contract rates climbed to $2.72 a mile before fuel, the highest reading in 52 weeks and 18% above a year ago, as carriers and shippers renew agreements at higher levels. Spot rates on SONAR's National Truckload Index are up close to 50% year over year, so the gap between spot and contract is narrowing heading into bid season.

The Outbound Tender Reject Index held at 13.75%, inside the 13%–14% band it has traded in lately, and truckload demand rose about 1.25% week over week, back to where it was before Labor Day. FreightWaves analyst Julie Van de Kamp said the move shows legacy contract pricing is being reset.

What it means: Shippers renewing lanes for 2027 should expect carriers to price today's costs, not last year's. Here is how a truckload rate is built — or get a freight quote on dry van or reefer freight. Owner-operators on percentage pay — owner-operators.

• Source: FreightWaves — Trucking rates spike, contracts at 52-week high

Hurricane Isaias: Alabama waives IRP and IFTA for relief trucks; Gulf markets tighten

Overdrive (Oct 9, 2026) and FreightWaves (Oct 9, 2026): On Thursday, Oct. 8, Alabama Revenue Commissioner Mary Martin Mitchell signed an order setting aside International Registration Plan and International Fuel Tax Agreement requirements for vehicles doing interstate disaster relief work while they travel through the state. Trucks still need valid base-state registration and insurance and must respect posted weight limits on bridges and similar structures. The order runs for 30 days.

Separately, FreightWaves' SONAR update showed tender rejections and spot rates climbing in the Mobile and Montgomery, Alabama markets, with inbound rejections into both well above the national average as the storm approached the Alabama coast and the Florida Panhandle.

What it means: If you are dispatched on relief loads into Alabama, keep your base-state cab card and insurance in the truck and check bridge postings. Expect tighter capacity and higher spot pricing into the central Gulf for a while. Drivers — company drivers; owner-operators — owner-operators.

• Source: Overdrive — Convicted cargo thieves face prison time; hurricane prompts tax relief
• Source: FreightWaves — Trucking rates spike, contracts at 52-week high

Texas: emergency diesel waiver runs through Oct. 24 — not for 2007-and-newer engines

EPA letter to Gov. Greg Abbott (Oct 5, 2026) and Equipment World (Oct 8, 2026): At the governor's request, EPA issued a 20-day emergency waiver for Texas that sets aside the state's Texas Low Emission Diesel (TXLED) requirement and allows refiners to make and sell diesel with up to 500 parts per million sulfur, instead of the usual 15 ppm ultra-low sulfur diesel, to stretch tight supplies. EPA tied the shortage to Middle East disruptions and limited U.S. refining capacity.

The higher-sulfur fuel is only for highway vehicles with engines built before the 2007 model year and for Tier 1–3 off-road engines; EPA notes many 2007 model year trucks carry 2006 engines, so check the emissions label on the engine. Tier 4 off-road engines and anything with a diesel particulate filter or catalyst must stay on ULSD.

Cummins told Equipment World that running the wrong fuel can damage the engine and aftertreatment and that those failures will not be covered under warranty. The waiver runs through Oct. 24, the 20-day maximum under the Clean Air Act, and EPA said it could extend it.

What it means: Any modern Class 8 tractor with a DPF still needs 15 ppm ULSD — read the pump label before you fuel in Texas this month. Company drivers — company drivers; owner-operators who buy their own fuel — owner-operators.

• Source: EPA — Fuel waiver letter to Texas (Oct 5, 2026)
• Source: Equipment World — Cummins warns Texas equipment owners over EPA diesel waiver

Cargo theft: two convicted in ring that bought real carriers, including one in Texas

Overdrive (Oct 9, 2026), on a federal jury verdict in the Central District of California: Arshpreet Singh, 28, of Sacramento, and Vikramjeet Singh, 31, of Fontana, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit theft from interstate shipments; Arshpreet Singh was also convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and Vikramjeet Singh was acquitted on that count.

Prosecutors said that from March 2024 to June 2025 the group bought or misused established trucking companies to win real loads — including through brokers such as Uber Freight — then took the freight and never delivered it. Losses were put at $2 million or more, mostly electronics, appliances and other consumer goods, with thefts across Southern California and in Grand Prairie, Texas. One company they bought was a Texas carrier, Z&F Transportation LLC, for about $22,000. Sentencing is set for Jan. 20, 2027.

In a separate case, CCJ (Oct 9, 2026) reported a Connecticut trucking company owner was sentenced to two years in prison for a $3.5 million invoice scheme against Amazon Logistics using 23 trucking accounts, several under other companies' names.

What it means: A clean MC number on its own doesn't prove a carrier is who it says it is — newly changed ownership is a red flag worth checking. Our carrier vetting checklist. Maas is an asset-based carrier and never re-brokers your load — get a freight quote.

• Source: Overdrive — Convicted cargo thieves face prison time; hurricane prompts tax relief
• Source: CCJ — NASTC calls on Congress to pause diesel exports

Small carriers ask Congress to pause diesel exports for six months

CCJ (Oct 9, 2026): The National Association of Small Trucking Companies (NASTC) sent House leaders a letter backing a member's call for a temporary six-month pause on U.S. diesel and distillate exports, with narrow exemptions for national security, treaty obligations and humanitarian needs, plus weekly public reporting and reviews at 90 and 180 days. The member wrote that small carriers and owner-operators have the least room to absorb a sudden fuel spike.

NASTC also asked Congress to oversee FMCSA's hours-of-service waiver for fuel haulers, which runs through Dec. 16; NASTC president David Owen said letting tanker drivers run 16 hours straight is a serious highway safety risk. In its Oct. 6 Short-Term Energy Outlook, EIA said East Coast distillate inventories were 32% below their five-year seasonal average in September and should stay about 20% below the 2021–2025 average through the winter.

What it means: Fuel supply, not just price, is now on Washington's agenda; budget for diesel staying volatile through the winter. Owner-operators — owner-operators. Shippers — get a freight quote.

• Source: CCJ — NASTC calls on Congress to pause diesel exports

For drivers and shippers (Saturday note)

Drivers: higher contract rates, storm freight and fuel rules all reward carriers with steady, experienced Class A drivers. If you hold a valid Class A CDL and a current DOT medical card, Maas Logistics runs dry van and reefer full truckload OTR in all 48 states out of Melissa, Texas, serving DFW, with 24/7 dispatch. Company drivers start at 50+ CPM dry van and 60+ CPM reefer. Owner-operators keep 87–90% of gross with non-forced dispatch.

Shippers: contract rates are resetting higher and cargo theft keeps pointing to vetting. Maas is an asset-based carrier and never re-brokers your load — dry van and reefer full truckload.

What it means: Company drivers — company drivers. Owner-operators — owner-operators. Shippers — get a freight quote.