Supply Chain Research
September LMI shows rising logistics costs and tighter transportation capacity
· Source: Logistics Managers' Index
The September Logistics Managers' Index rose to 70.2 as transportation prices climbed to 92.7 and transportation capacity fell to 34.4. Readings above 50 indicate expansion and readings below 50 contraction, so the survey points to rapidly rising prices and sharply tighter available capacity.
Summary and practical context by RoadHouse Recruiting · Reviewed
Transportation pricing remained highly inflationary
The transportation-price component increased 2.7 points to 92.7, while capacity declined 5.6 points to 34.4. Transportation utilization registered 66.1, indicating continued expansion but at a slower pace than in August.
Warehouse capacity also tightened
Warehouse capacity fell to 39.3 while utilization was 64.3 and prices 73.5. The report linked the pressure to inventory building ahead of the holiday season and elevated logistics costs.
Survey results are directional
The LMI is a diffusion-index survey of supply-chain executives. It indicates the direction and breadth of change, not a dollar-per-mile freight rate or a direct measure of driver pay.
Understanding the update
This is a monthly research index based on survey responses, not a rule, transaction or lane-level rate quote.
What it means for drivers and carriers
Use the LMI as evidence of broad capacity and cost pressure, then confirm conditions with current lane, tender and warehouse data.
Questions to consider
- Do the company's lanes show the same capacity contraction?
- Are warehouse constraints delaying freight or raising accessorial costs?
- How much of the price pressure is fuel versus core linehaul?
Read the original reporting
This page provides an original summary and practical commentary. The linked source contains the full reporting. Older stories reflect information available on their published dates.
Read the source at Logistics Managers' Index ↗ (opens in a new tab)