Canada Freight Rates

Truckload Rates in Canada – September 2025

Canadian truckload rates continued to recalibrate in August, as earlier pre-tariff shipping support gave way to more visible freight weakness across domestic and cross-border markets. While capacity remains tighter than in the U.S. due to prior fleet contraction, weak demand and macroeconomic headwinds are exerting greater influence on rate trends. Below is the latest breakdown of spot rates across key Canadian corridors.

Spot Market Rates

Intra-Canada Dry Van:
Spot rates held flat in August at $1.46 per mile, following a 4¢ gain in July. Regional demand remains uneven, with soft retail and muted restocking activity keeping volumes constrained. Seasonal freight activity is present but subdued, and elevated input costs continue to pressure carrier profitability. Fleet contraction has stabilized capacity, but the balance remains tilted toward shippers.

US to Canada:
Northbound dry van rates softened modestly in August as cross-border demand cooled further. Weaker U.S. freight volumes and slowing retail activity are limiting northbound loads, while restocking momentum continues to fade. Unless U.S. consumer and manufacturing activity rebounds, northbound pricing will remain under pressure into the fall.

Canada to US:
Southbound rates declined again in August, with reefer spot rates falling 5¢ to $1.83 per mile, down 1.4% y/y. Dry van spot rates also weakened as cross-border volumes contracted. Trade policy volatility and tariff-related uncertainty continue to weigh on flows, while carriers face elevated operating costs and margin compression despite stable fleet capacity.

Outlook
Canadian truckload markets remain in a fragile position heading into late 2025. With both intra-Canada and cross-border demand subdued, rate pressure is expected to persist through Q4. Tightened fleet capacity offers some cushion against sharper declines, but weak retail freight, muted manufacturing, and unresolved trade policy risks will cap upside.

Looking to 2026, sustained rate recovery will depend on stabilization in U.S. freight activity and clarity on trade and tariff policy. Until then, Canadian carriers are likely to remain focused on cost control, selective asset deployment, and preserving margins in an environment defined more by defensive positioning than growth.

To see how Canadian rates change in the future, and for detailed analysis and forecasts or truckload, less-than-truckload, and intermodal, see ACT's freight & transportation forecast.