Freight rates and the number of load available on the spot market posted impressive gains over the past week, according to just released numbers from the freight-matching service provider DAT.
Spot Market Freight Rates and Load Availability Jump
Freight rates and the number of load available on the spot market posted impressive gains over the past week, according to just released numbers from the freight-matching service provider DAT.
by Staff
February 12, 2014
1 min to read
Total spot market loads available increased 12% Feb. 2 through Feb. 8 compared to the previous seven days while spot market capacity fell 6.2%, pushing up rates in two of the three major freight categories.
Van rates advanced 2.1% for an average of $1.97 per mile, while reefers increased 4.9% to $2.16 per mile. Both are their best showings in the last four weeks. Flatbeds were unchanged from the week before at $2.09 per mile.
The increases came as the load-to-truck ratio for vans jumped 26% with reefers seeing a 24% gain. The flatbed load-to-truck ratio increased far less, adding just 3.7%.
Freight backlogs due to weather delays are thought to be the reason for increased load availability and rates.
More Fleet Management
FTR Trucking Conditions Index Hits Four-Year High in February
Strong freight rates push TCI to 10.2, but FTR expects fuel-price volatility to skew March results.
Read More →
C.H. Robinson Offers Carriers Relief as Diesel Prices Surge
C.H. Robinson is waiving fees on fuel cards and cash advances for April and May, aiming to help carriers offset rising diesel costs tied to geopolitical instability.
Read More →
What Trucking Events are Happening in 2026?
Looking for trucking-related conventions, expos, and other events? Heavy Duty Trucking has developed this list of national and larger regional trucking shows and events.
Read More →
Volvo’s Quiet Confidence Turns into a Full-Throated Bet on the Future
After years of steady, methodical progress, Peter Voorhoeve says the OEM’s latest lineup isn’t just evolutionary. It’s delivering real, measurable gains for fleets right now.
Read More →
BeyondTrucks Targets Rate Complexity with New AI RateAgents
BeyondTrucks says its new RateAgents can turn plain-language rate logic into working code, starting with fuel surcharges — a critical but notoriously complex piece of carrier revenue.
Read More →
Volvo Sees Market ‘Tipping Point’ as New VNL Orders Surge
Soft freight conditions persist, but aging fleets, strong order intake, and new-product momentum signal a more optimistic second half of 2026, Volvo Trucks North America says.
Read More →
Cargo Theft’s New Playbook: Strategic Fraud, Double Brokering, and Cybercrime Hit Trucking
Cargo theft is evolving from regional smash-and-grab operations to sophisticated fraud schemes. Strategic theft now accounts for roughly a third of cargo crime, with incidents rising sharply in recent years. Here’s how the schemes work — and what fleets can do to protect themselves.
Read More →
HDT Honors the Best New Products of 2025 at TMC [Photos]
Heavy Duty Trucking's Top 20 Products awards recognize the best new products and technologies. Check out the award presentations at the 2026 Technology & Maintenance Council annual meeting.
Read More →
Sponsored•March 31, 2026
Detroit Engines: Trusted Performance, Built for What's Next
The Detroit® Gen 6 engine platform proves that real progress doesn’t require a complete redesign. Built on 20 years of trusted technology, these engines are designed for efficiency, stronger performance, and greater reliability than before. And they do it all while complying with 2027 EPA standards on every mile.
Read More →
Q&A: What's Real in Advanced Truck Tech? ACT Expo's Erik Neandross Weighs In
The 2026 ACT Expo is focusing heavily on what organizer Erik Neandross calls trucking's digital frontier. This interview excerpt dives into artificial intelligence, zero-emission vehicles, and tips to make sense of it all.
Read More →