--- title: Rates Offset Fuel Pressure in March TCI description: FTR's Trucking Conditions Index shows a slight decline due to rising diesel prices, but strong freight rates offer carriers a favorable outlook through 2026. image: https://today.ftrintel.com/hubfs/Marketing%20Collateral/Blogs/Blog%20images/2026/May/TCI%20May%20%202026%20blog.png --- ![](https://today.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing%20Collateral/Blogs/Blog%20images/2026/May/TCI%20May%20%202026%20blog.png?width=1600&height=500&name=TCI%20May%20%202026%20blog.png) forecasting SCI # Rates Offset Fuel Pressure in March TCI ![FTR Analysts](https://today.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/FTR_2022%20icons_Forecasting.png?width=48&height=48&name=FTR_2022%20icons_Forecasting.png) FTR Analysts May 8, 2026 Rates Offset Fuel Pressure in March TCI 2:06 ![epub_TRUCK-ON-HIGHWAY-ROAD-FREIGHT-iStock-grandriver-1465157700_1080x1080_webp](https://today.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing%20Collateral/Blogs/Blog%20images/2026/Jan%20and%20Feb/epub_TRUCK-ON-HIGHWAY-ROAD-FREIGHT-iStock-grandriver-1465157700_1080x1080_webp.webp?width=371&height=247&name=epub_TRUCK-ON-HIGHWAY-ROAD-FREIGHT-iStock-grandriver-1465157700_1080x1080_webp.webp) FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) turned slightly negative in March, falling to -1.11 after posting a four-year high in February. The primary driver behind the decline was the sharp spike in diesel prices, which created a significant headwind for carriers across the market. Despite the fuel pressure, the overall reading remained relatively resilient thanks to continued strength in freight-related fundamentals — particularly rates and capacity conditions. According to FTR, the positive contribution from freight rates offset much of the damage caused by soaring fuel costs, reinforcing expectations for a favorable carrier environment through much of 2026. > ![Avery Vise close up](https://today.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing%20Collateral/FTR%20Headshots%20and%20Bios/Headshots/Avery%20Vise%20close%20up.jpg?width=178&height=267&name=Avery%20Vise%20close%20up.jpg) “Carriers of all stripes are in store for a strong year from a rates perspective, but for much of the market, the recovery remains driven by the combination of very tight capacity and disruption,” said Avery Vise, FTR’s vice president of trucking.  FTR noted that open deck freight continues to outperform, supported by ongoing data center construction activity and modest improvement in manufacturing output. At the same time, van freight remains more challenged, with FTR expressing skepticism that volume growth alone will significantly improve conditions in that segment. The Trucking Conditions Index measures the combined impact of freight volumes, freight rates, fleet capacity, fuel prices, and financing costs to provide a snapshot of overall trucking market health.  For the graph and full report, go to: [https://www.ftrintel.com/trucking-conditions-index](https://www.ftrintel.com/trucking-conditions-index)  ## Deeper Market Insight Available in *Trucking Update* [![FTR blog_subscriptions_TU download report](https://today.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing%20Collateral/Blogs/social%20images/Blog%20images/2025/FTR%20blog_subscriptions_TU%20download%20report.jpg?width=294&height=294&name=FTR%20blog_subscriptions_TU%20download%20report.jpg)](https://www.ftrintel.com/trucking-update) The latest issue of Trucking Update also explores how artificial intelligence may increasingly influence economic activity beyond consumer spending and data center construction, adding another layer to the evolving freight outlook. Learn more about **FTR’s Trucking Update subscription service** to access the full analysis behind the latest Trucking Conditions Index and other key indicators shaping the truck freight market [here](https://www-ftrintel-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/trucking-update). [![FTR_Truckstop SMI header_1-1](https://5867190.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/5867190/hubfs/SMI%20-%20Spot%20market/FTR_Truckstop%20SMI%20header_1-1.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=FTR_Truckstop%20SMI%20header_1-1.jpg) ](https://truckstop.com/product/spot-market-insights/) Get the insights you need to make smart business decisions. Together, Truckstop and FTR break down big data to deliver information you can use to maximize your profits. Sign up for **Spot Market Insights**, the trucking industry’s weekly wellness report. [![TMU _Avery_ Podcast Graphics - Updated 5.28.24](https://5867190.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/5867190/hubfs/State%20of%20Freight/Podcast%20Downloads/Podcast%20Graphics/2024/TMU%20_Avery_%20Podcast%20Graphics%20-%20Updated%205.28.24.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=TMU%20_Avery_%20Podcast%20Graphics%20-%20Updated%205.28.24.png) ](https://www.ftrintel.com/trucking-podcast) **State of Freight Podcast – Trucking Market Update**: Weekly insights from Avery Vise on spot markets, economic indicators, and emerging industry developments. [https://www.ftrintel.com/trucking-podcast](https://www.ftrintel.com/trucking-podcast) ## Share this post [mailto:https%3A%2F%2Ftoday.ftrintel.com%2Ftci-may-2026](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Ftoday.ftrintel.com%2Ftci-may-2026) ## Keep reading [![](https://today.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing%20Collateral/Blogs/Blog%20images/2026/July/_Class%208%20July%202026%20blog.png?width=1600&height=500&name=_Class%208%20July%202026%20blog.png) class 8 trucks forecasting ### Class 8 Orders Surge Again as Industry Nears 2026 Production Capacity ](https://today.ftrintel.com/class-8-july-2026) [![](https://today.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing%20Collateral/Blogs/Blog%20images/2026/June/_RMU%20June%2026%202026%20blog.png?width=1600&height=500&name=_RMU%20June%2026%202026%20blog.png) intermodal carload Rail ### Rail Traffic Holds Steady While Intermodal Extends Its Winning Streak ](https://today.ftrintel.com/rmu-june-26-2026) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "FTR Analysts", "url" : "https://today.ftrintel.com/author/ftr-analysts" }, "dateModified" : "2026-05-08T13:15:00.126Z", "datePublished" : "2026-05-08T13:15:00.000Z", "headline" : "Rates Offset Fuel Pressure in March TCI", "image" : [ "https://today.ftrintel.com/hubfs/Marketing%20Collateral/Blogs/Blog%20images/2026/May/TCI%20May%20%202026%20blog.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://today.ftrintel.com/tci-may-2026", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://today.ftrintel.com/hubfs/FTR%20Logos%20and%20Icons/FTR_Logo_Primary_FullColor.png" }, "name" : "FTR | Transportation Intelligence" } } ```