Freight costs are rising and probably faster than most managers think.  For example,  A Morgan Stanley poll suggested freight rates would go up 10% in the next year, BUT Knight-Swift said its revenue per loaded mile, a key measure of pricing strength, rose 21% year-over-year in Q2. 

Company officials said it was getting customers to convert higher spot-market rates into higher contract rates.  Add to that the carriers’ rush to buy new Class 8 tractors – July’s record new tractor orders are three times last year’s number (this also has me wondering – “where are all the drivers coming from?” )