Building on September's rebound, October continued the positive turn for Canadian freight activity. Loadlink's latest data shows that overall load postings increased 12% compared to last month, signalling steady momentum across the market. Year-over-year, volumes increased by 1% compared to October 2024. Momentum was shared across cross-border and domestic markets, with outbound lanes to the U.S. leading the increase. With Loadlink's insights, members can adjust their routing and align coverage to take advantage of a tightening market.
Cross-Border Highlights
Cross-border freight remained the largest portion of activity, marking 63% of postings from Canadian-based customers.
- Outbound loads (Canada → U.S.)rose 17% month-over-month and 1% year-over-year. Equipment postings dipped 5% from September and were 22% lower than in October 2024.
- Inbound loads (U.S. → Canada)climbed 8% month-over-month and 4% year-over-year. Equipment availability saw a 2% increase from September but remained 22% lower than last year.
Tighter year-over-year capacity on both directions — particularly outbound — presents opportunities for carriers to command stronger margins, while brokers can benefit from earlier coverage planning.
Intra-Canada Freight
Domestic freight accounted for 37% of total postings in October.
- Month-over-month,loads within Canada increased 10%, while year-over-year volumes were down 1%.
- Equipment postings wereup 1%from September and down 3% year-over-year.
Shorter-haul and regional lanes continue to offer consistent freight options, especially as carriers adjust to subtle changes in domestic equipment availability.
Equipment Trends
The mix of equipment postings remained stable:
- Dry Vans: 54%
- Reefers: 24%
- Flatbeds: 18%
- Other: 4%
Dry vans and reefers continue to dominate activity across both domestic and cross-border markets, with steady reefer demand.
Truck-to-Load Ratio
The average truck-to-load ratio for October was 3.06 trucks per posted load, down 11% from September's 3.44. Compared to October 2024, the ratio was 16% lower. The decline from September indicates stronger demand relative to available trucks, creating a more favourable environment for carriers.
Locking in October's Gains
October continued the market's upward momentum, driven by stronger cross-border freight to the U.S. and increased activity on key regional routes within Canada. These developments create clear opportunities for carriers to keep trucks moving and for brokers to secure capacity early as the final quarter progresses.
"Concentrated lanes are creating clearer paths for profitability, especially on core cross-border routes. The carriers and brokers who lean into those routes now will stay ahead through year-end," said James Reyes, General Manager at Loadlink Technologies.
Loadlink continues to provide the visibility and insights members need to monitor market shifts and respond rapidly — helping carriers and brokers capitalize on opportunities as 2025 approaches its final months.
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.