Crossroads Truck Equipment · Illinois & Indiana
The road ahead. The work in your shop.
A local read for the people who keep moving.
Crossroads / Keeping America Moving
A local perspective from the Crossroads Truck Equipment leadership team. Scroll through the developments that shape your next load, your next route and your next stop.
By the numbers
Fuel costs on your radar
A Midwest benchmark for the fuel-cost conversation before your next load.
Observations through Oct 26, 2026
EIA release: Oct 27, 2026
13 weekly observations
USD per gallon
Includes all taxes
Oct 26, 2026 · Midwest $6.480/gal · U.S. $6.352/gal
| Observation date | Midwest (PADD 2) | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| $5.262 | $5.348 | |
| $5.181 | $5.257 | |
| $5.435 | $5.454 | |
| $5.636 | $5.652 | |
| $5.571 | $5.599 | |
| $5.946 | $5.967 | |
| $6.250 | $6.285 | |
| $6.680 | $6.529 | |
| $6.526 | $6.382 | |
| $6.286 | $6.199 | |
| $6.259 | $6.179 | |
| $6.352 | $6.276 | |
| $6.480 | $6.352 |
Saved chart shown. Checking EIA for the latest weekly prices…
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration — Midwest history ↗ · U.S. history ↗ · Latest EIA release ↗
Automatic weekly data from EIA. New data is checked when you visit; successful checks are reused for up to six hours. Regional averages are benchmarks, not individual station prices.
Crossroads perspective: Use the trend alongside your own fuel receipts and route costs. Bring upcoming preventive work into the same planning conversation so the truck’s next stop fits the load schedule.
This week at Crossroads
Start with the eastbound I-80 lane-split plan near Joliet, then catch up on the FMCSA Complaint Center, trucking-community support and the latest equipment, carrier and freight developments. This November 9 research edition was rechecked November 10. Each story separates what happened from what it may mean for your business.
Lead story · Joliet road watch
IDOT scheduled an eastbound I-80 lane split after Houbolt Road. In that layout, Larkin Avenue traffic must stay right; the left lane continues to Chicago Street.
Lane choices, timing & current-status caveat →Along the route / Freight, parts & local knowledge
From the shop floor · maintenance desk
Before the first hard freeze, tell the service desk about repeated moisture, slow pressure buildup or unusual air-dryer cycling. Ask for an inspection against the equipment manufacturer’s service guidance. A cartridge change alone may not address a leak or valve problem.
Based on Bendix winter-prep guidance, Sept. 26, 2024 ↗ and air-dryer inspection guidance, June 24, 2024 ↗.
What it means for your truck
Local context. Practical next steps.
9 stories shown
IDOT scheduled an eastbound I-80 lane split after Houbolt Road. In that layout, Larkin Avenue traffic must stay right; the left lane continues to Chicago Street.
Review the exit with dispatch before reaching Houbolt Road. Allow extra time for the work zone and pass an updated arrival window to the shop or parts desk if the route affects your visit.
Source: November 4, 2026
Period: Scheduled from November 8 for approximately one month, weather permitting.
Status: Scheduled work-zone layout; current implementation must be checked before travel.
FMCSA’s enhanced Complaint Center expands reporting categories for brokers, training providers and registration-related fraud. Filing a complaint does not automatically start an investigation.
Keep relevant dates, carrier or broker identifiers, load records and correspondence together. Use the official portal and its eligibility guidance to describe the concern accurately.
Source: November 6, 2026
Period: Platform enhancements announced November 6, 2026.
Status: Administrative platform update; not a newly enacted trucking rule.
OOIDA’s November 9–15 campaign supports military care packages and veterans. During the campaign, $35 memberships contribute 10% to the program, with OOIDA matching that portion.
If you want to participate during Veterans Day week, use OOIDA’s official page to confirm membership or donation details before November 15. Share the official link with interested colleagues.
Source: Official campaign page is undated; checked November 10, 2026.
Period: November 9–15, 2026 campaign window.
Status: Campaign window includes November 10; confirm terms directly with OOIDA.
FTR’s preliminary October Class 8 orders were 15,600, down 36% from a year earlier. Year-to-date orders were still up 74%, so one weak month needs context.
For replacement planning, ask for a written equipment quote and delivery window. Compare those with the condition and scheduled maintenance needs of the units you already run.
Source: November 4, 2026
Period: Preliminary North American October 2026 net orders.
Status: Preliminary estimate, subject to revision; orders are not deliveries.
PS Logistics says Loudon County Trucking acquired substantially all assets of Roane’s trucking, logistics and leasing businesses. Roane serves Southeast and Midwest freight lanes.
If your business works with Roane, confirm operational contacts and account instructions through an established channel. An acquisition announcement alone is not a reason to accept changed payment or dispatch details.
Source: November 5, 2026
Period: Completed asset acquisition announced November 5; closing date not separately stated.
Status: Acquisition announced as completed; financial terms undisclosed.
Humble Robotics announced $51 million in Series A funding for its autonomous electric freight platform. Funding is a development milestone, not proof of broad commercial availability.
Watch for named pilot routes, validated performance and service support before treating this technology as a fleet purchase option. Keep current equipment decisions tied to the work and support available today.
Source: Company release: November 5, 2026; investor counsel confirmation: November 6.
Period: Series A funding announcement; development and pilot work.
Status: Funding and development news; not confirmation of commercial service in Illinois or Indiana.
FreightWaves reports that compromised communications appeared in 40.2% of Highway’s Q3 stolen-load reports. The finding covers Highway’s network and cannot describe all U.S. theft.
Confirm unexpected reroutes, payment changes and requests for shipment details using a previously verified contact channel. Protect email accounts with multifactor authentication and report suspicious changes promptly.
Source: FreightWaves: November 7, 2026; Highway report page is undated.
Period: Third quarter 2026: July–September.
Status: Private-network observations, not a national cargo-theft rate.
BLS reported seasonally adjusted truck-transportation payrolls of 1,471,300 in October, unchanged from September’s revised estimate. National payrolls do not measure local freight demand.
Use national employment data as background. For staffing and maintenance planning, rely on your booked work, available drivers and actual unit utilization.
Source: November 6, 2026
Period: October 2026 payroll employment compared with September, seasonally adjusted.
Status: Preliminary establishment-survey estimates, subject to revision.
PMA says its agreement with ILWU Local 26 was extended through November 20 while talks continue. The extension is not evidence of a current port shutdown or a final settlement.
For port-linked freight, confirm terminal appointments and shipment status with the customer or forwarder. Recheck PMA’s notices before making plans that depend on the November 20 deadline.
Source: November 6, 2026
Period: PMA–ILWU Local 26 contract extension through November 20, 2026.
Status: Contract extension and continuing negotiations; not a final labor settlement.
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Along the route / Parts & service support
The Pulse archive
9 stories · Edition 02 · Updated November 10, 2026
5 stories · Edition 01
This November 9 research edition was updated and its sources checked November 10, 2026. Source publication dates and event periods appear on each story. The October 30 edition and its stories remain available in the archive.
Road notices are dated planning information, not live routing instructions. Preliminary estimates may be revised; company announcements and private-network research are identified. Platform improvements are not new trucking laws. Market commentary about proposals does not establish an enacted rule.
Crossroads perspective sections are editorial recommendations. Confirm location, appointment and equipment details with the team. Decatur is parts only; service is available through Effingham, Bedford and Vincennes.
For corrections, contact Crossroads with the story and supporting source.
Crossroads Truck Equipment / Illinois & Indiana
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