WEEKLY MARKETFIT UPDATES: 08.18.2026: QUINCY, IL SHOWS STRONG IMPROVEMENT AS FREIGHT CONDITIONS TIGHTEN AND CARRIER REJECTIONS REMAIN ELEVATED
Each week, MarketFIT™ from Express Freight Finance analyzes real-time freight market data to surface the most favorable and competitive markets across the country.
Rather than reacting to yesterday’s trends or generic load board averages, MarketFIT helps carriers and brokers make smarter decisions in the moment — from where to drive next, to how to price lanes, to when to push for stronger rates.
MarketFIT Platform Overview
With MarketFIT, Express Freight Finance clients gain access to in-depth dashboards covering 125+ U.S. markets and thousands of active freight lanes, all updated continuously to reflect real-world conditions.
If this is your first time here, watch our short overview below featuring Dan Hadley, President & CEO of Express Freight Finance, to see how MarketFIT turns raw data into actionable strategy inside your business.
What This Week’s Data Shows
Below is a snapshot of this week’s live MarketFIT data, highlighting key shifts in demand, capacity, and pricing across top U.S. freight markets.
Freight market conditions in Quincy, IL improved significantly over the past week, with the Overall Fit Score increasing by 5.17 points to 35.68. This notable improvement follows considerable volatility throughout July and early August, including a sharp decline in mid-August followed by a strong rebound to the current period high. Current conditions suggest strengthening market dynamics, supported by a positive freight-flow balance and continued carrier selectivity. As a regional freight market along the Mississippi River, Quincy supports freight movements tied to agriculture, food and beverage, manufacturing, industrial production, and regional distribution throughout the Midwest.
Outbound Tender Volume is at 13.3, compared to 10.0 for Inbound Tender Volume, resulting in a 3.3 Head Haul Index. This positive differential indicates that outbound freight demand exceeds inbound volumes, creating moderately favorable conditions for carriers. While the overall freight volumes are relatively limited compared with larger transportation markets, the positive Head Haul Index suggests that outbound load opportunities currently exceed inbound freight availability, which can tighten equipment availability and contribute to upward pressure on rates as shippers compete for available capacity.
The Outbound Tender Reject Index (OTRI) is currently at 31.21, indicating elevated carrier rejection activity and relatively tight capacity conditions. An OTRI above 30 suggests that carriers are rejecting a meaningful share of contracted freight, pushing additional shipments into the spot market and increasing competition for available equipment. Combined with the positive Head Haul Index, the elevated rejection rate points to stronger carrier leverage and the potential for firmer spot pricing as outbound demand competes for constrained capacity.
Overall, Quincy is demonstrating strong positive market momentum following the volatility experienced in recent weeks. The sharp increase in the Fit Score, combined with a positive Head Haul Index and elevated OTRI, suggests that current market strength is being supported by both favorable outbound freight dynamics and tightening carrier capacity. As an important regional market along the Mississippi River, Quincy’s freight conditions will continue to be influenced by agricultural and food-related shipments, manufacturing activity, industrial production, and broader Midwest freight flows as market conditions evolve.
Carriers Continue To Find Strong Opportunities With These Lanes:
- Harrisburg, PA → Boston, MA — Avg. Rate per Mile: $3.79
- Los Angeles, CA → Phoenix, AZ — Avg. Rate per Mile: $3.51
- Chicago, IL → Cleveland, OH — Avg. Rate per Mile: $3.42
These lanes continue to offer attractive earning potential as pricing remains elevated across major Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast freight corridors, providing carriers with consistent opportunities in high-demand regional markets.
Load Availability & Lane Rates Intelligence
Zero in on where freight is actually moving right now — highlighting lanes with rising demand, tightening capacity, and improving rate potential.
Use this MarketFIT data to spot pockets of opportunity as they emerge, compare lanes side by side, and prioritize routes that offer the best balance of volume and pricing — before conditions shift.
Below is a snapshot of this week’s load availability and lane rate data across key markets.
You can learn more about MarketFIT and request a demo by visiting MarketFIT.