What the August indexes show
Cass reported that its shipments index rose 2.1% from August 2025 and 5.6% from July, or 5.0% after seasonal adjustment. It was the first year-over-year increase since January 2023, ending a 42-month run of declines in this measure.
The Cass Truckload Linehaul Index reached 153.9, up 0.7% from July and 11.3% year over year. That index isolates per-mile linehaul pricing from fuel and accessorial charges and reflects a mix of spot and contract freight.
What it means for drivers and carriers
The combination of positive shipment comparisons and higher linehaul rates is a stronger market signal than rate movement alone. It suggests more freight was moving through Cass's for-hire data set while baseline truckload pricing continued to firm.
The report does not mean every lane improved or that a higher invoice rate produces a higher margin. Carriers still need to compare the offered linehaul amount with fuel, deadhead, tolls, insurance, maintenance, dwell time and reload prospects before accepting a load.
Why the rebound still needs context
Cass cautioned that the August shipment gain largely reversed declines from June and July and should not yet be treated as a major demand improvement. Its data include all domestic transportation modes, although truckload accounts for more than half of shipments and less-than-truckload about one quarter.
The monthly Cass series differs from the weekly Truckstop broker-posted spot-rate report covered previously by CDL Test Prep Tracker. This article covers a new monthly shipment and linehaul-index release rather than duplicating that weekly spot-market event.
Primary sources and supporting records
- Cass Information Systems: Cass Transportation Index Report — August 2026Primary monthly freight-index report and methodology • Published 2026-09-14 • Checked September 14, 2026 at 5:14 PM
- FreightWaves: Cass: TL rates jump 11% in August, freight shipments turn positiveIndependent reputable trucking-market reporting • Published 2026-09-14 • Checked September 14, 2026 at 5:14 PM
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