Spot Market Freight Rates Start Off 2013 Generally Higher
Rates in the three major categories on one of the nation’s leading spot markets for freight increased or held steady over the past week, according to newly released figures.

Rates in the three major categories on one of the nation’s leading spot markets for freight increased or held steady over the past week, according to newly released figures.

DAT reports while vans were unchanged Dec. 29 through Jan. 4, at an average of $1.95 per mile, flatbeds continued its recent trend of heading higher. It gained 0.9% from the previous seven days, registering $2.17 per mile. Reefers, also saw a hike, though not as much, increasing 0.5%, for an average of $2.13 per mile.
The rate for vans was the peak for 2013, while the national average of flatbeds is 2.9% higher than November and 4.3% above December 2012. As for reefers, After finishing December 4.9% higher than the November average, it appears activity may be hitting a lull after a strong holiday season, says DAT.
All this happened as overall activity on the spot market increased, with the number of available loads increasing 6.9% from the week before, while spot market truck capacity fell 8.9%
The Van load-to-truck ratio increased 23% while the flatbed load-to-truck ratio moved 6.3% higher and the reefer load-to-truck ratio jumped 18%.
More Fleet Management

How HDT’s 2026 Truck Fleet Innovators Are Rethinking Fleet Operations
Meet five trucking leaders who are challenging assumptions, solving operational problems, and putting innovative ideas to work.
Read More →
Tight Trucking Capacity Pushes Rates Higher Even as Freight Volumes Fall
“Spot rates moving ahead of contract rates have historically signaled a tightening market, but we haven’t seen a capacity-driven market quite like this one,” said DAT's Dean Croke.
Read More →
Import Cargo’s Early Peak Season is Winding Down
There was an early start to peak season this year at the nation's gateway ports, as retailers brought in merchandise ahead of tariff changes in late July and responded to other supply chain uncertainties,
Read More →
Fewer Cargo Thefts, Bigger Losses: Criminals Target Higher-Value Loads
CargoNet says organized theft rings are stealing fewer shipments but choosing more valuable freight, including metals and technology, resulting in record losses.
Read More →
How Innovative Trucking Leaders Turn Change Into an Advantage
As the pace of change accelerates in trucking, the fleets that adapt best have more than the latest technology. They have cultures that embrace improvement.
Read More →
Freight Broker Bonds Just Got Harder to Get. Here's What That Means for Your Fleet.
When it gets harder for a freight broker to prove they are financially sound, the ones who cannot clear that bar get pushed out of the market. And those are exactly the brokers who used to leave motor carriers holding the bag.
Read More →
Long-Awaited Canadian Border Bridge to Open in Detroit
For trucking, the bridge opening should offer immediate improvements in efficiency and reliability, with new customs facilities, expanded inspection capacity, and direct freeway-to-freeway connections.
Read More →
Aurora Rolls Out Next Generation of Driverless Trucks for Commercial Freight
Aurora's latest autonomous trucks it's rolling out with International feature lower-cost hardware designed for a million miles as the company expands commercial driverless freight operations across the U.S. Sun Belt.
Read More →
Freight Tonnage Down, Rates up, as Lower Capacity Powers Trucking Recovery
The recovery from the freight recession continues to be driven by reduction in capacity rather than by increased demand.
Read More →
Think Your Trucking Fleet Isn't Using Much AI? Think Again
Shadow AI — the use of unauthorized artificial intelligence tools at work — is becoming increasingly common, putting sensitive company data at risk. Learn how trucking fleets can protect sensitive data while embracing AI.
Read More →
