🚚 Freight, Fuel & Football: Week 7 Update

⛽ Diesel & Market Update

According to C.H. Robinson, the U.S. national average diesel price per gallon in September was ~$3.75, up from ~$3.74 in August—and also higher than September 2024 (~$3.56/gal), marking the second consecutive year-over-year increase after a long string of declines. What this means for freight buyers and carriers: rising fuel cost pressure is now back on the table. Even if base spot rates soften, fuel surcharges and routing inefficiencies can erode margin.­ For shippers, it’s a good moment to review your fuel-surcharge terms, revisit routing flexibility, and check carrier behaviour for fuel efficiency.

🚛 Freight & Logistics Trends

­ In many truckload lanes, spot-rates show moderate softness, driven by slower import volumes and seasonal demand shift.­ Intermodal and port-side disruptions remain a wildcard: delays, drayage cost spikes and schedule inconsistencies continue to push some shippers to evaluate alternate gateways or routing.­ Smart logistics ops are locking in routing flexibility, reviewing minimum routing commitments, and scheduling earlier rather than later before Winter season capacity crunch sets in.

🌱 Commodity Spotlight – Renewable Diesel & Soybean Basis

­ Policy momentum for renewable diesel is increasing interest in soybean oil as a feedstock. Some regions near crushing plants are seeing local soybean basis increase by ~9¢–23¢ per bushel.­ If you move agricultural commodities, bio-feedstocks or refined intermediates, these shifts can impact transport volumes, origin/destination patterns and mode choice (truck vs rail).­ Tip: Identify regions where feed-stock sourcing is shifting and anticipate lane changes or volume swings.

🏈 Sports Corner – NFL Week 7 & What’s Next

Week 7 Highlights

­ The league is showing real parity: 13+ teams have 4+ wins already, and many top teams are no longer clearly separated from the pack.

Notable results: 

– Kansas City Chiefs dominated the Las Vegas Raiders 31–0.

– Philadelphia Eagles beat the Minnesota Vikings 28–22 behind a strong performance by Jalen Hurts (326 yards, 3 TDs).

– Green Bay Packers’ cornerback Nate Hobbs conceded the 2nd most yards among outside cornerbacks in Week 7—highlighting coverage issues for a team that thought they had upgraded there.

What to Watch for in Week 8

­ With standings tight, teams with 5–2 or even 4–3 records could be playoff-positioning by the end of this stretch.­ Key matchup attention: teams that bounce back from bad losses will show resilience; those who don’t will sta

rt falling quietly.­ Depth, turnovers, and QB protection remain premium variables. In logistics terms: just as teams need depth and contingency plans, so do shippers and carriers need robustness and plan B.­ Watch for injury updates, especially at QB and key defensive positions—those often shift momentum and market perception quickly.

✍️ Closing Note

Cost pressures are creeping back into freight via fuel and logistics disruption—even as spot rates may feel soft in some lanes. In the NFL, we’re seeing many teams within striking distance of contention, making every matchup matter even more.For both freight ops and sports fans, the theme is preparation, flexibility, and seizing momentum. Whether it’s routing a load or running a play, be ready.