The Empty Mile Truckers Are Not Getting Paid For

Trucking rates have been flat or falling for two years, but one hidden cost—empty miles—is quietly stealing billions from owner-operators. Lucas and Luna break down why carriers spend roughly 20% of their miles driving empty, how the 2026 capacity glut makes it worse, and why digital freight-matching hasn't fixed the problem. They cite recent data showing industrial production ticked up while capacity utilisation remains below pre-pandemic norms, meaning more trucks chasing fewer hauls. The episode also touches on how shippers are squeezing contract rates, leaving small fleets with no leverage. A concrete look at an overlooked drain on the supply chain. #Trucking #EmptyMiles #Freight #OwnerOperators #SupplyChain #Logistics #Diesel #DigitalFreight #CapacityGlut #IndustrialProduction #FreightRates #Carriers #Economics #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #SupplyChainEconomy #LucasAndLuna #Fexingo Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo