I always thought $5 gas and $6 diesel would be the tipping point. Yet the anecdotal evidence in Upstate South Carolina reveals truck traffic to be unabated. What gives? Is it like the quiet before the economic storm?
Customers are still paying the increased freight rates. There have been some loads that are not being shipped (produce) because the cost of shipping is higher than the value of the load. You can probably expect there won’t be the fresh fruit available during off season now.
As far as fertilizer, we’re hauling it as fast as they use it. Some farmers around here are planning to fill up for next year. Spot price for Soybean @ Cargill Sidney, OH $18.00/BU so they can afford the costs.
I drove from Charlotte to Baltimore two weeks ago. Heavy truck presence the whole way.