30 Days on the Road: April 2026

Things happen so fast these days, that it’s probably best to take things on a monthly basis – at least. That said, it’s hard to believe it’s May, already.

My late cousin Jim Herndon, who taught me how to shoot a rifle and hunt, told me once, “Time drags until you’re 30. And then it just flies by.”

Man – he wasn’t wrong about that. Not even a little bit.

Anyway, looking back over the year to date, 2026 has been generally positive for trucking. And last month gave the industry some very promising economic data – the war with Iran and fuel price hike it sparked notwithstanding.

And just some positive economic news. More like a ton of economic good news.

But, before we get into all that, as I write this in the first week of May, there are some signs that the noose Iran has around the Strait of Hormuz may be getting tight enough to start giving North American fleets serious fuel price headaches in the coming weeks and months.

So things could look very different a month from today. Although I hope not!

But – like I said – the economic trucking news in April was damn good. Let’s run through and take a quick look at the top stories for the month and see where things stand.

Class 8 Sales on the Upswing — and Other Good Trucking Tidings

April started out for me with a visit to Volvo’s Customer Center in New River Valley, Virginia.

We were there to get some drive-time in behind the wheel of the new Volvo VNR, regional haul tractor.

But, as is customary, Magnus Koeck, vice president of strategy, marketing, and brand management for Volvo Trucks North America, briefed the media on the current state of the North American truck market.

And although things looked a bit shaky at the time, Koeck said Volvo is confident that the industry is quietly gaining steam – and could be on track for a strong finish at the end of the year.

That message was magnified considerably when I sat down with Magnus’ boss, Peter Voorhoeve, a couple of hours later to get his thoughts on the state of play right now.

Like Magnus, Peter is bullish on the North American trucking industry at the moment. Moreover, he thinks Volvo has timed its new VNL and VNR model launches perfectly to catch fleets when they not only need new trucks, but trucks that are safer and more profitable to operate.

Peter and Magnus’ take on things was bolstered a few days after I got back home, with this update from FTR, which noted that Class 8 truck orders were exceptionally strong in March.

Class 8 demand began rising noticeably in December, FTR noted. And although March cooled off somewhat (probably because of the whole Iran situation) orders remind sharply elevated and “above expectations.”

(Let me take a second here and thank Volvo Trucks North America for the New River Valley manufacturing line shots I took a few days earlier while on a tour of the plant. They were perfect for this story!)

And that wasn’t all the good news bubbling out of FTR headquarters that week!

The analytical firm also noted that its Trucking Conditions Index hit a four-year high in February.

And although near-term conditions remain “uncertain (looking at you, Iran War) my old boss, Avery Vise, who is now FTR’s vice president of trucking, thinks the longer-term outlook still continues to favor carriers.

Adding to the good news, a couple of months back, at TMC, I sat down with Brian Antonellis. He’s the Senior Vice President of Fleet Operations at Fleet Advantage. And he always has a solid take on the state of play in trucking. And he told me he thinks the math is unavoidable: It’s time for fleets to start replacing older equipment.

And then DAT Freight and Analytics weighed in with even more good news. It reported that its DAT Truckload Volume Index rose across all major equipment types in March.

And finally, the American Trucking Associations posted solid economic news in the middle of the month. ATA analysts reported that March truck tonnage numbers posted their strongest annual gain since October 2022.

Like I said – Things are looking up! Here’s hoping the news is as upbeat next month!

HDT Wants You!

When you boil it down to its very essence, HDT is about YOU.

And we can’t tell your story if we don’t know your story.

Which is why HDT has several industry recognition programs that allow us to get to know you, your company and the things you’re doing to move trucking forward.

So are you a Truck Fleet Innovator? If so, nominations are open now for HDT’s 2026 Truck Fleet Innovators.

So if you, or your company is moving the needle on technology, innovation and sustainability, let us know about it.

We’ve also got our kick-ass Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange event in Scottsdale, Arizona from September 21^st to the 23^rd. HDTX is built for you: It is a small, focused, fleet networking and information forum that combines new technology, industry leaders and strategic knowledge all in one place. Spots are limited. So apply now! We’d love for you to join us in Arizona this Fall!

The New Math on Daycabs

Regional-haul and daycab tractors seem to be having a Moment. Why are so many fleets suddenly reevaluating daycabs for their operations?

AI and Your TMS

Hey! Have you heard about this new technology called “AI” yet?

If you haven’t, please let me know where you are so I can come hang out with you.

Because AI is all I seem to hear about lately.

But like it or not, AI is here. Which means you need to talk to your TMS provider about it.

The reason? Lots of companies are laying AI onto technology platforms that were never designed to handle the technology in the first place. And you don’t have to be Elon Musk to see how that could lead to some pretty significant problems for you.

Saving Fuel at the Wheel End

So, Iran, diesel prices, yada, yada, yada.

If you’re suddenly hyper-focused on boosting your fleet MPG numbers, don’t forget your wheel ends.

The Adventures of the REO Speedwagon

You take it on the run, baby. If that’s the way you want it, baby. Then I don’t want you around. – “Take it on the Run” Reo Speedwagon

Of course, you know there’s more to the REO Speedwagon story than an ‘80s band with a solid run of hit songs.

And, as it turns out, back in the day, fleets did want the REO Speedwagon around!

And I tell you all about it in my latest installment of Great American Trucks: REO.

By the way – if you’re an antique truck collector and restorer, or if you have a cache of historic truck photos (new or old), I’d love to hear from you.

I love writing Great American Trucks. But a limiting factor is finding photos we have permission use with these stories. So – again – if you can help me out – let me know!

More Great Automotive Writing

Y’all know I love a good bit of outstanding writing. And it’s bonus when it’s brilliant automotive writing!

As I show myself to the digital door, let me direct your attention to this little journalist gem from Hagerty. A few years ago, one of the magazine’s writer’s Porsche 914 was being regularly stolen. Only to turn up abandoned a few blocks or miles away.

So the writer decided to make life simpler for himself, and any would-be car thieves out there.

The result? This glorious article entitled A Few Things to Know Before Stealing My 914.

Well, that’s about it for April 2026 in trucking.

As my old high school buddy, David “Squat” McDaniel likes to say, “It’s been fun. But it ain’t been real fun!”

So, until next month, Hold ‘em in the road!