Domestic freight quietly led the way in September. Intra-Canada volumes were 41% higher than September 2025, the strongest annual gain of any segment this month, ahead of both outbound and inbound cross-border activity. Overall freight volumes rose 34% year-over-year, down from August’s record pace but still a strong annual reading. Month-over-month, overall volumes edged up 2% from August.
Truck availability loosened again in September after briefly tightening the month before. The truck-to-load ratio rose to 2.78 trucks per load, up 6% from August’s 2.62, though it remained 19% lower than September 2025. With intra-Canada posting the strongest annual growth of any category and cross-border momentum shifting from outbound to inbound, carriers continued to operate in a market with meaningfully less competition for freight than a year ago.
Canadian Freight Index Highlights
· Month-over-month: Volumes increased 2% compared to August 2026.
· Year-over-year: Volumes increased 34% compared to September 2025.
Cross-Border Highlights
Cross-border freight accounted for 61% of postings from Canadian-based customers. Inbound and outbound activity moved in opposite directions this month, a reversal from August’s outbound-led surge.
- Inbound loads (U.S. → Canada) increased 24% month-over-month and were 26% higher year-over-year. Equipment postings rose 7% from August and were 14% higher year-over-year.
- Outbound loads (Canada → U.S.) decreased 12% month-over-month but were 33% higher year-over-year. Equipment postings rose 12% from August and were 3% lower year-over-year.
Inbound freight rebounded sharply after a soft August, while outbound cooled from last month’s record pace. Both directions remained well ahead of last year, even as the pace of growth shifted between them.
Intra-Canada Freight
Domestic freight accounted for 38% of postings in September.
- Month-over-month: Loads within Canada increased 2% compared to August.
- Year-over-year: Volumes were 41% higher than September 2025, the strongest annual gain of any category this month.
- Equipment postings were 7% higher month-over-month and 11% higher year-over-year.
This is the first month this year in which intra-Canada posted the highest annual growth of any segment, ahead of both inbound and outbound cross-border activity. Equipment postings climbed 7% month-over-month, well ahead of the 2% rise in loads, pointing to growing capacity on domestic lanes.
Equipment Trends
Top equipment postings in September:
- Dry Vans: 51%
- Reefers: 26%
- Flatbeds: 19%
- Other: 4%
Reefers climbed to their highest share of the year, as summer produce activity carried into harvest season. Dry vans dipped slightly in the process, while flatbeds held steady
Truck-to-Load Ratio
The truck-to-load ratio in September was 2.78 trucks for every load posted on Loadlink.
- Month-over-month: Up from 2.62 in August 2026 (6% higher), reflecting a return to looser truck availability after one month of tightening.
- Year-over-year: Down 19% compared to 3.44 in September 2025.
Capacity eased again after briefly tightening in August. But the year-over-year comparison shows the market still running meaningfully tighter than a year ago, keeping carriers in a stronger position than they held last September.
Domestic Strength Sets the Tone as Cross-Border Activity Shifts
September told a different story than most of the year so far. Rather than cross-border activity leading the way, the strongest signal came from elsewhere in the market. Outbound settled from last month’s record pace, giving the rest of the market room to stand out.
“This is the first month in 2026 where domestic freight posted the strongest annual growth of any segment, ahead of both inbound and outbound. Inbound also came back after a slower August, up 24% month-over-month. Carriers running domestic routes have real momentum to work with right now,” 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 shift.
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.