SNAP cuts could leave Owner-Operators chasing fewer loads

Reductions in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) ripple through the freight economy by lowering grocery demand, particularly in rural and lower-income regions where SNAP spending accounts for a significant portion of retail food sales. According to USDA data, about 13% of all U.S. food purchases involve SNAP benefits, meaning even modest cuts can reduce shipment volumes for grocery distributors and carriers. With fewer orders moving through these areas, truckload demand falls, especially for small, independent operators serving rural Midwest, Southern, and Rust Belt markets.

As freight density declines, owner-operators often find themselves hauling a paying load into a region but struggling to secure a backhaul on the way out. Those empty miles, known as deadhead miles, consume fuel, add wear and tear, and produce no revenue. With diesel prices averaging above $4 per gallon in late 2025, the financial impact quickly compounds. Fewer paying loads, rising operating costs, and tougher competition all combine to shrink profit margins for independents already operating on thin lines.