The CGFI tracks changes in freight costs for Canadian Shippers. The index is published monthly and the results are based on a statistically valid sample of transactions taken from the Nulogx database of more than $750M in annual freight transactions.

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May 28, 2025

Total Freight Costs Continue to Increase in March

Results published today by the Canadian General Freight Index (CGFI) indicate that the Total Cost of ground transportation for Canadian Shippers increased by 1.88% in March from February costs.

The Base Rate Index, which excludes the impact of Accessorial Charges assessed by carriers, increased by 1.75% in March.

Average Fuel Surcharges assessed by Carriers decreased in March.  Fuel was 24.16% of Base Rates in March versus 24.70% in February. Last year in March, the Average Fuel Surcharge was 25.74%.

“Total Freight Costs increased 1.88% in March. Domestic segments and Cross Border TL each increased in March while Cross Border LTL decreased. Year over year, Total Domestic LTL, Total Domestic TL, Total Cross Border LTL, and Total Cross Border TL segments all remain above the same period last year costs,” said Doug Payne, President & COO, Nulogx.

Click on the charts for larger images.

Overall – Total Freight Costs

This is a summary showing Total Freight Costs for over the road shipments starting in January 2008.
This chart depicts only General Freight  shipments and includes all accessorial and fuel surcharges.
It excludes specialty freight services, rail, air, ocean and courier shipments. Freight services paid in US currency have been translated into Canadian dollars based on the exchange rate applicable on the shipment date.

Overall – Base Freight Costs

This chart shows the change in Base Freight Costs over the last 12 months for Canadian shippers. The data presented is the same as the General Freight Index above, except that all costs associated with separately identified Fuel Surcharges and Other Accessorial charges has been removed from the analysis.

Overall – Fuel Surcharge Index

This chart shows the changing Fuel Surcharge rates paid by Canadian Shippers. The Fuel Surcharge data shown is expressed as a percentage of the overall Base Freight Cost paid by shippers in the study sample.