Related: What Tonnage, Carloads and PMI Mean for Freight Demand
Spot Market Dips in November, but Likely to Rise on Holiday Freight
Spot market freight volume and rates fell for most equipment types last month, but holiday shipping is expected to give it a boost.

Spot market volumes and rates fell in November but are expected to see a boost during the holiday season.
Source: DAT Solutions
Spot market freight volume and rates fell in November for most equipment types in both monthly and yearly comparisons, according to the latest data from DAT Solutions.
In the latest DAT Freight Index, November volume was down 2.5% compared to October and was 24% lower than it was in the same month a year ago. Freight rates remained stable for vans, but flatbed rates dipped by 7 cents, which DAT indicated is typical for this time of year.
Reefer cargo rebounded however, increasing 8% in availability and seeing a 2.5% increase in the average per-mile spot rate compared to October.
“Spot market volumes and rates are likely to rise through December, as e-commerce deliveries continue to ramp up,” said Peggy Dorf, DAT market analyst. “Retailers are offering nearly unlimited free shipping to online customers during the holiday season, boosting orders and adding to pressure on freight transportation and logistics.”
More Fleet Management

Amazon Launches Less-Than-Truckload Freight Offering for All Businesses
This launch is the latest addition to Amazon Supply Chain Services, a portfolio of supply chain capabilities from Amazon, including freight, distribution, fulfillment, and parcel shipping.
Read More →
Import Cargo Volume to See Year-Over-Year Gain Again in June, Then Remain Below 2025 Levels Into Fall
After July, the report predicts a weakening in import volume as consumer uncertainty remains high and the impact of increasing inflation takes its toll.
Read More →
AUCTION OF EQUITY INTEREST IN HEAVY HAUL TRUCKING COMPANY!!
Mark your calendar: June 30, 2026 (10:00 a.m. PDT). A 37.5% ownership interest in MagnaTrans, LLC, a California limited liability company doing business as Magna Transportation Group, will be sold in an in-person and online auction to the highest bidder or bidders under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. The Rancho Cucamonga-based heavy haul and over-dimensional trucking company operates across California, Oregon, and Arizona.
Read More →
Volvo Trucks Adds Unattended Over-the-Air Software Update Capabilities
The latest evolution of Volvo’s over-the-air update technology allows software updates to run while trucks are parked, helping fleets keep vehicles current without disrupting operations.
Read More →How Waste Connections is Using Data, Telematics, and AI
How do you manage and maintain more than 18,000 connected trucks? Data. Lots of it.
Read More →
Why Fleet Data Matters More Than Ever at Waste Connections [Watch]
Waste Connections' Chuck Palmer explains how telematics, predictive maintenance, safety analytics, and AI help keep vehicles on the road and drivers safe in this episode of HDT Talks Trucking.
Read More →
NMFTA Launches Free, Anonymous Cybersecurity Threat Report Portal
Organizations are encouraged to anonymously report freight fraud, cargo crime, and cyber threats while gaining visibility into incidents reported across the transportation sector.
Read More →
AI Can Optimize a Fleet. Can It Replace Human Judgment?
Fleets fear falling behind if they don’t adopt AI quickly enough. They also fear what happens if the technology makes the wrong decision.
Read More →
Jamie Hagen Gets Real About Running a Small Fleet in an Uncertain Economy
Small fleet owner Jamie Hagen says new legal risks, volatile fuel prices, and a changing freight market are forcing small carriers to rethink how they operate — and what they can afford.
Read More →Jamie Hagen Gets Real About Freight, Fuel Prices, Safety, and Small-Fleet Survival
Running a small trucking fleet right now isn’t easy, especially right now. And Jamie Hagen doesn’t sugarcoat it.
Read More →

