Canadian freight posted its second straight month of growth in October, with overall volumes up 3% from September and 23% higher than last year. Outbound loads from Canada to the U.S. led the gains, rising 31% year-over-year and 15% from September, while inbound loads pulled back, down 7% year-over-year, the first annual decline either direction has posted all year. Intra-Canada freight also picked up pace, climbing 9% month-over-month, its strongest monthly gain since the spring.
Truck availability kept climbing in October. The truck-to-load ratio rose to 2.90 trucks per load, up 4% from 2.78 in September. Compared with October 2025, the ratio was 5% lower, the smallest annual gap of the year, pointing to a market that’s becoming more balanced between carriers and brokers. With more trucks available and demand picking up across both outbound and domestic lanes, brokers found coverage easier to come by, while carriers still faced fewer competing trucks than a year ago.
Canadian Freight Index Highlights
· Month-over-month: Volumes increased 3% compared to September 2026.
· Year-over-year: Volumes increased 23% compared to last October.
Cross-Border Highlights
Cross-border freight accounted for 58% of postings from Canadian-based customers, down slightly from September as intra-Canada activity gained ground. Outbound and inbound moved in opposite directions again this month, continuing the back-and-forth pattern that has defined the cross-border story since summer.
- Outbound loads (Canada → U.S.) increased 15% month-over-month and were 31% higher year-over-year. Equipment postings rose 6% from September and were 8% higher year-over-year.
- Inbound loads (U.S. → Canada) decreased 21% month-over-month and were 7% lower year-over-year, the first annual decline for cross-border direction this year. Equipment postings rose 12% from September and were 26% higher year-over-year.
Outbound is back in the lead on annual growth, and inbound just posted its weakest reading of the year. That’s the third lead change between the two since July, a sign cross-border momentum hasn’t settled into any clear direction this year.
Intra-Canada Freight
Domestic freight accounted for 41% of postings in October, its largest share since July.
- Month-over-month: Loads within Canada increased 9% from September, the strongest monthly gain since the spring.
- Year-over-year: Volumes were 40% higher than October 2025.
- Equipment postings were 3% higher month-over-month and 13% higher year-over-year.
Intra-Canada freight posted its strongest monthly gain since the spring, keeping domestic lanes among the most consistent segments this year.
Equipment Trends
Top equipment postings in October:
- Dry Vans: 50%
- Reefers: 27%
- Flatbeds: 19%
- Other: 4%
Reefers climbed to their highest share of the year for a second straight month, while dry vans eased to their lowest share of 2026. Flatbeds held steady.
Truck-to-Load Ratio
The truck-to-load ratio in October was 2.90 trucks for every load posted on Loadlink.
- Month-over-month: Up from 2.78 in September 2026 (4% higher), marking three months of rising truck availability.
- Year-over-year: Down 5% compared to 3.06 in October 2025.
Capacity has now loosened for three straight months, and the annual gap has narrowed to its smallest point of the year. Carriers still hold an edge over last October, but that edge is thinner than it has been at any point in 2026.
Cross-Border Momentum Swings South Again as Domestic Freight Builds Steam
October told two stories that built through the back half of the year. Outbound reclaimed the lead on annual growth just one month after inbound activity had taken over, and intra-Canada posted its strongest monthly growth since the spring. With truck availability still climbing, the market enters November with activity spreading across more of the freight mix, even as overall annual growth continues to cool.
“Three swings in cross-border direction since July means this market isn’t settling into a pattern. What stands out more is domestic freight posting its best month in a while at the same time outbound came back. When both pick up together, that’s a market with real depth,” 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 heading into the final months of the year.
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.