Spring Auto Transport Volumes Remain Elevated Amid Tight Capacity and Rising Diesel Costs

A LinkedIn post from Carpool Logistics highlights a mixed but still-tight U.S. auto logistics environment heading into the spring peak. The post cites vehicle shipping volumes up 1% week over week and 9% above prior-year levels, with diesel costs jumping 4.5% to $5.64 per gallon and capacity described as extremely tight on key corridors.

According to the update, regional trends are uneven, with outbound growth led by Florida and the broader Southeast, while the Southwest and certain Mid-Atlantic markets such as Baltimore and Pennsylvania show notable strength. Some softening is suggested in the South and Midwest, yet the post indicates these markets remain above last year’s levels.

Lane and mix data in the post point to stronger west-to-east flows and a modest rise in enclosed transport, while repo and bulk orders have eased, with bulk orders down 10% after prior growth. Referencing Black Book data, the post notes vehicle values up 0.41%, stable auction conversion at 64%, and tightening retail supply at a 37-day turn, implying sustained demand for used vehicles.

The post further suggests that rising diesel costs are pressuring carrier economics even where volumes are flat, reinforcing tight capacity conditions. Carpool Logistics also shares an outlook that the main spring peak is expected in late April, with a higher second peak in the third week of May, framing the current moderation as a temporary pause rather than a downturn.

For investors, these indications of elevated volumes, firm pricing, and constrained capacity may imply supportive conditions for logistics providers and related auto remarketing businesses in the near term. If the projected dual-peak pattern materializes, companies positioned to manage high-cost, tight-capacity environments could benefit from sustained pricing power and potentially stronger revenue visibility through late spring.