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
From Diesel Prices to Cyberattacks: How the Iran War Is Affecting Trucking
The impact of the Iran conflict extends beyond fuel costs, bringing more fraud and cybersecurity risks to the trucking industry.
Read More →
ATA’s Spear Warns Fuel Prices, Trade Policy, and Global Conflict Could Stall Trucking Recovery
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 →
New Entrants, Chameleon Carriers, and Safety: Is It Too Easy to Start a Trucking Company?
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 →
Fleet Managers Invited to Apply for Exclusive HDT Exchange Event
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 →
DAT Launches iPhone Widget to Help Owner-Operators Find Loads Faster
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 Launches AI System to Help Carriers Choose Better Freight
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: Flatbed Demand Climbs as Van and Reefer Rates Soften
DAT Freight & Analytics data shows tightening flatbed capacity, easing produce markets, and softening van and reefer rates.
Read More →
Run on Less “Messy Middle” Data Shows Multiple Paths Forward for Truck Powertrains [Watch]
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 →
Federal Court Lets NYC Congestion Pricing Continue
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 Launches Real-Time Truck Modification Tracking Portal
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 →