
Rates on the spot market soared over the past week, according to new figures from the freight-matching service provider DAT.
Rates on the spot market soared over the past week, according to new figures from the freight-matching service provider DAT. Flatbeds led the hikes gaining 4.1% June 29 through July 5, compared to the previous seven days, hitting $2.54 per mile.


Rates on the spot market soared over the past week, according to new figures from the freight-matching service provider DAT.
Flatbeds led the hikes, gaining 4.1% June 29 through July 5, compared to the previous seven days, hitting $2.54 per mile, followed by a 3.4% increase in van rates, coming in at $2.15 per mile, a record high. Reefers gained 2.9% for $2.49 per mile as growers and grocers paid a premium to deliver fruit and vegetables to retail outlets before the July 4th holiday.
This happened as truck capacity and the number of spot market loads available each fell 21% from the previous week. In contrast, load-to-truck ratios increased in all three categories with the biggest coming from flatbeds, gaining 7.4%, followed by vans adding 1.8% and reefers picking up 0.5%.
Initial figures also show increases in freight rates during June compared to the month before as well as the same time a year ago. Vans had the biggest hike in June from May, 5.1%, edging out reefers which gained 4.7%, while vans also had the biggest increase from June 2013, adding 12% with flatbeds rising the second most at 11%.

Speaking at the TMC Annual Meeting in Nashville, ATA President Chris Spear said trucking faces mounting pressure from rising fuel prices, geopolitical instability, and uncertainty around trade policy.
Read More →
More than 100,000 new trucking companies enter the industry each year, but regulators manage to audit only a fraction of them. That churn creates opportunities for inexperienced startups — and for “chameleon carriers” that shut down after safety violations and reappear under new identities. Read more from Deborah Lockridge in this commentary.
Read More →
HDTX is an intimate event that connects heavy-duty trucking fleet managers with industry suppliers through small-group discussions, educational sessions, and structured one-on-one meetings.
Read More →
New DAT One feature shows top-paying loads directly on an iPhone’s home screen, helping carriers react faster to spot-market opportunities.
Read More →
Optimal Dynamics says its new Scale platform uses AI agents and optimization to help carriers find and secure freight that improves network balance and profitability.
Read More →
DAT Freight & Analytics data shows tightening flatbed capacity, easing produce markets, and softening van and reefer rates.
Read More →
NACFE's Run on Less - Messy Middle project demonstrates the power of data in helping to guide the future of alternative fuels and powertrains for heavy-duty trucks.
Read More →
A federal court ruling allows New York City’s congestion pricing program to continue, leaving truck tolls in place for fleets delivering into Manhattan.
Read More →
Fontaine Modification has introduced a new customer portal designed to give fleets real-time visibility into the truck modification process, addressing one of the most common questions fleet managers face: “Where’s my truck?”
Read More →
Strong freight rates, rising volumes and tighter capacity push trucking conditions higher, though diesel prices could temper gains in the near term, FTR cautions.
Read More →