Rigmatix Blog

    Trucking insights that move freight

    Industry trends, compliance updates, and dispatch playbooks — written for U.S. carriers, fleets, and owner-operators.

    IndustryApr 12, 20267m

    2026 Trucking Outlook: Why Spot Rates Are Finally Climbing

    After two years of compressed margins, 2026 spot rates are turning. Here's what's driving the shift and how to position your fleet for the upturn.

    ComplianceApr 8, 20268m

    FMCSA Clearinghouse-II: What Carriers Must Do Before November 2026

    The next phase of the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse changes how carriers verify drivers. Here's the compliance checklist.

    PricingApr 4, 20266m

    How Owner-Operators Can Cut $400/Month with One TMS

    The average owner-operator pays for 4-6 separate trucking tools. Here's the math on how an all-in-one TMS pays for itself in week one.

    ComplianceMar 28, 20265m

    IFTA Deadlines 2026: Quarterly Calendar + Penalties Explained

    The 2026 IFTA filing dates, late-filing penalties, and how to stop losing weekends to fuel-tax math.

    IndustryMar 22, 20267m

    AI Load Matching vs. Traditional Load Boards in 2026

    AI-driven load matching is changing how small carriers find freight. Here's what works, what doesn't, and how to use both.

    How-ToMar 15, 202611m

    How to Start a Trucking Company in 2026 (Step-by-Step)

    From MC authority to your first load — the complete 2026 playbook for launching a U.S. trucking company.

    How-ToMar 8, 20266m

    Detention Pay & Accessorials: Stop Leaving Money on the Table

    The average carrier loses 3-5% of revenue to uncollected detention and accessorial charges. Here's the playbook to fix it.

    IndustryFeb 26, 20266m

    Diesel Price Forecast & Fuel Surcharge Math for 2026

    Where diesel is heading in 2026 and how to set a fuel surcharge that actually protects your margin.

    ComplianceFeb 18, 20267m

    DOT Audit Survival Kit: 12 Documents Inspectors Always Ask For

    What inspectors actually look for in a DOT audit, in priority order, and how to have every document ready in five minutes.

    How-ToFeb 10, 20268m

    Drayage, Intermodal & Port Logistics: Software for the New Supply Chain

    Why generic TMS tools fail at port drayage, and what intermodal carriers actually need to win in 2026.

    ComplianceMay 2, 20269m

    IFTA Quarterly Filing: A No-Stress Walkthrough for Small Fleets

    Step-by-step IFTA filing for owner-operators and small carriers — what to track, common audit triggers, and how to file in under 20 minutes.

    ComplianceMay 9, 20268m

    DOT Audit Prep: The 14-Day Checklist Every Carrier Should Run

    A practical 14-day DOT compliance audit prep checklist — driver files, hours-of-service, drug & alcohol, maintenance, and IFTA — straight from real audits.

    How-ToMay 16, 20268m

    Switching From McLeod to a Modern TMS: What to Expect

    An honest migration playbook for fleets leaving McLeod LoadMaster — data export, training time, what breaks, and what gets dramatically better.

    How-ToMay 23, 202610m

    Best TMS for 10-Truck Fleets in 2026 (Honest Comparison)

    A pragmatic comparison of TMS software for 10-truck fleets — pricing, features, mobile experience, and which ones are actually worth the switch.

    Owner-OperatorMay 30, 20269m

    Owner-Operator Software Ranked: What Actually Saves You Hours

    Owner-operator software, ranked honestly — TMS, IFTA, accounting, and ELD options for single-truck operators and lease drivers in 2026.

    PricingJun 6, 20267m

    2026 Trucking Software Pricing Benchmarks (Real Numbers)

    Real 2026 pricing benchmarks for TMS, ELD, dispatch, and IFTA software across owner-operators, small fleets, and mid-size carriers.

    How-ToJun 8, 20268m

    Dispatcher SOPs That Scale From 5 to 50 Trucks

    The dispatch SOPs that let small fleets scale without chaos — load assignment, check calls, exception handling, and shift handoff playbooks.

    IndustryJun 10, 20266m

    How Much Time a Modern TMS Actually Saves Per Truck Per Month

    Real benchmarks on hours saved per truck per month by a modern TMS — dispatch, billing, IFTA, settlements, and driver communications.

    PricingJun 25, 20268m

    Rigmatix vs Motive: Honest 2026 Comparison for Small Fleets

    Rigmatix vs Motive compared on price, dispatch, ELD, IFTA, and onboarding. An honest 2026 breakdown for small carriers weighing a Motive alternative.