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 Cape Girardeau, MO improved over the past week, with the Overall Fit Score increasing by 7.13 points to 38.56. The gain reflects strengthening market fundamentals supported by a favorable outbound freight balance, elevated carrier rejection activity, and sustained demand across regional freight networks. Positioned along key transportation corridors connecting the Midwest and Southeast, Cape Girardeau continues to exhibit signs of tightening capacity conditions that are becoming increasingly supportive of carrier pricing power.
Outbound Tender Volume is at 34.6, compared to 23.5 for Inbound Tender Volume, resulting in an 11.2 Head Haul Index. This positive differential indicates that outbound freight demand continues to exceed inbound volumes, creating a favorable headhaul environment for carriers operating in the market. While the imbalance is not as pronounced as some larger manufacturing hubs, it nevertheless suggests that freight is leaving the market at a faster pace than it is entering, contributing to tighter outbound capacity and supporting carrier utilization across regional lanes.
The Outbound Tender Reject Index (OTRI) is currently at 32.35, signaling elevated rejection activity and persistent capacity tightness. Rejection levels above 30 are generally indicative of a highly competitive freight environment where carriers are increasingly selective about the loads they accept. This level of rejection activity can contribute to stronger spot market conditions and upward pressure on transportation rates as shippers compete for available truckload capacity.
Overall, Cape Girardeau is demonstrating positive market momentum, supported by healthy outbound demand, a favorable headhaul balance, and notably high carrier rejection behavior. The more than seven-point increase in the Fit Score highlights strengthening conditions and suggests that capacity remains constrained relative to freight demand. Regional manufacturing activity, agricultural freight flows, and distribution networks connecting Missouri, the Midwest, and the Southeast will remain important factors to monitor as market conditions continue to evolve.
Carriers Continue To Ramp Up Profits With These Lanes:
- Ontario, CA → Phoenix, AZ - Avg. Rate per Mile: $3.69
- Joliet, IL → Detroit, MI - Avg. Rate per Mile: $3.63
- Las Vegas, NV → Los Angeles, CA - Avg. Rate per Mile: $3.14
These lanes remain well-supported as pricing stays elevated across established Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast freight corridors.
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.