Southbound freight came back in a big way in August. Outbound loads from Canada to the U.S. surged 112% annually and jumped 45% from July, the largest single-month gain of 2026 in any category. Overall freight volumes rose 63% from August 2025, marking the strongest annual growth of the year and the fifth straight month above 40%.
Truck availability also shifted for the first time in months. The truck-to-load ratio eased to 2.62 trucks per load, down from 2.71 in July. Compared to last August, the ratio remained 38% lower, meaning fewer trucks were chasing each load than a year ago. With southbound freight surging, inbound activity easing, and truck postings starting to firm up, carriers found themselves back in a stronger negotiating position.
Canadian Freight Index Highlights
· Month-over-month: Volumes were flat compared to July 2026.
· Year-over-year: Volumes increased 63% compared to August 2025.
Cross-Border Highlights
Cross-border freight accounted for 61% of postings from Canadian-based customers, up from 58% in July, as freight heading south rebounded sharply. Inbound growth slowed after leading the month before.
- Outbound loads (Canada → U.S.) increased 45% month-over-month and were 112% higher year-over-year, the standout figure of the month and one of the strongest annual gains posted this year. Equipment postings fell 16% from July and were 16% lower year-over-year.
- Inbound loads (U.S. → Canada) decreased 29% month-over-month but were 31% higher year-over-year. Equipment postings rose 8% from July and were 6% higher year-over-year.
Outbound cross-border freight rebounded sharply after slowing in July, while inbound activity moved in the opposite direction after leading in July. The rebound lines up with new tariffs introduced by Canada in late August, with outbound shipments accelerating ahead of the change.
“The timing here is hard to miss. Outbound volumes jumped right around when the new tariffs came in, which is a pattern we typically see when shippers rush freight out ahead of a deadline,” said Dean Croke, Principal Analyst at DAT Freight & Analytics.
Intra-Canada Freight
Domestic freight accounted for 38% of postings in August.
- Month-over-month: Loads within Canada decreased 7% from July.
- Year-over-year: Volumes were 50% higher than August 2025.
- Equipment postings were 6% lower than July and 8% higher year-over-year.
Domestic activity gave back some ground after July’s strong month, but annual comparisons remained solid, keeping intra-Canada as a meaningful contributor to the market alongside the cross-border story.
Equipment Trends
Top equipment postings in August:
- Dry Vans: 53%
- Reefers: 24%
- Flatbeds: 19%
- Other: 4%
Reefers reached their highest share of the year in August, coinciding with the peak of summer produce season. Flatbeds eased slightly while dry vans held their leading position at more than half of postings.
Truck-to-Load Ratio
The truck-to-load ratio in August was 2.62 trucks for every load posted on Loadlink.
- Month-over-month: Down from 2.71 in July 2026 (3% tighter), the first monthly tightening in several months.
- Year-over-year: Down 38% compared to 4.20 in August 2025.
Capacity tightened slightly for the first time since the spring, marking a shift in the summer trend that had seen truck availability climb month after month. On an annual basis, carriers continued to operate in a market with significantly fewer competing trucks than they saw a year ago.
Outbound Freight Rebounds as Truck Capacity Tightens
August closed with outbound freight back at the centre of the cross-border story. Inbound cooled after leading the month before, and intra-Canada gave back some of its July gains. At the same time, truck capacity tightened for the first time since the spring, breaking a months-long pattern of loosening. Together, these shifts point to a market moving quickly, with southbound lanes setting the pace again and capacity starting to work in carriers’ favour.
“A 45% single-month rebound after three months of cooling isn’t seasonal, it’s a demand signal. Combined with a fifth consecutive month of annual growth above 40% and truck availability tightening for the first time since the spring, Canadian freight is entering the fall in a stronger position than it did a year ago,” said James Reyes, General Manager at Loadlink.
Loadlink continues to provide the visibility and insights members need to track freight activity, respond to changing lane dynamics, and make confident decisions as market conditions continue to move.
About Loadlink Technologies
Loadlink Technologies is Canada’s leading freight matching platform. By connecting brokers and carriers, Loadlink helps businesses move freight efficiently and cost-effectively. Through innovative solutions, Loadlink supports the logistics sector by simplifying workflows and enhancing the capacity for freight movement across North America through our software.