MENU
SEARCHThe spot market continues to cool a bit, with fewer loads posted and lower national average spot truckload rates, according to DAT.
Shippers posted 5% fewer loads during the week ending Aug. 18, leading to lower national average spot truckload rates on the DAT network of load boards, as the number of available trucks increased 1%.
The national average van rate fell 2 cents to $2.16/mile, the flatbed rate slipped 2 cents to $2.67/mile, and the reefer rate declined a penny to $2.50/mile.
The national average price of on-highway diesel moved down 1 cent to $3.21 per gallon. Spot rates include a portion for a fuel surcharge, meaning a change in fuel price can affect overall prices to move freight.
Van Trends: The number of van load posts on DAT load boards dropped 5% while truck posts increased 1% compared to the previous week. That pushed the national van load-to-truck ratio down to 6.5 available loads per truck.
Van rates were softer. On the top 100 van lanes last week, rates were higher on only 23 lanes while 74 declined and 3 were neutral. Notably, the average van rate from Los Angeles—a major market for imported retail goods—declined 7 cents to $2.63/mile. Rates were lower on several outbound lanes:
- Los Angeles to Seattle fell 13 cents at $2.92/mile
- Los Angeles to Denver dropped 8 cents to $3.07/mile
- Los Angeles to Atlanta also decreased 8 cents to $1.95/mile
Reefer trends: Load posts on DAT load boards were in line with the previous week's totals and truck posts edged up 1%. The reefer load-to-truck ratio edged down to 8.3 loads per truck, and rates responded: prices were lower on 38 of the top 72 reefer lanes last week.
While the national picture appeared unsettled, produce continued to drive demand in specific markets. For example, with apple season underway in the Upper Midwest, the average outbound rate from Grand Rapids, Michigan, increased 27 cents per mile to $3.64/mile last week — by far the largest gain of any major reefer market. The rate was buoyed by two important lanes:
- Grand Rapids to Atlanta surged 47 cents to $3.58/mile
- Grand Rapids to Madison, Wisconsin, increased 41 cents to $3.43/mile
Flatbed trends: The national load-to-truck ratio for spot flatbed freight fell for the 10th week in a row. Load posts were down 7% last week while truck posts held steady. The national flatbed ratio was 27.4 loads per truck.
When the unexpected happens, how you react to, and deal with operational blind spots is critical. Here’s how to keep you recovery on track, when nothing is normal.
Read More →
As fleets adopt artificial intelligence for routing, maintenance, and load matching, new security risks are emerging. Learn where the vulnerabilities are and how to put the right controls in place.
Read More →
The long-awaited registration system promises a single portal — and tighter fraud controls.
Read More →
CargoNet reports fewer supply chain crime events to start 2026. But losses hold steady as organized crime shifts tactics toward impersonation schemes and high-value goods.
Read More →
Heavy Duty Trucking is searching for forward-looking leaders at trucking fleets as nominations for HDT’s Truck Fleet Innovators 2026. Deadline is May 15.
Read More →
Cargo theft rings plant operatives as drivers inside legitimate, fully vetted carriers, then execute coordinated thefts that look like a traditional straight theft from the outside.
Read More →
A modest sequential increase capped the strongest quarterly performance in years, signaling continued freight momentum in early 2026.
Read More →
More than 300 carriers across 26 states have been sent to collections as the Ohio Turnpike cracks down on toll evasion and delinquent payments.
Read More →
The American Transportation Research Institute will examine driver coaching, regulatory impacts — including the "Beyond Compliance" concept —and weather disruptions that shape trucking operations.
Read More →
Fleet Advantage's Brian Antonellis says it's time for fleets to get back to the fundamentals of good maintenance practices. And that includes replacing older, inefficient equipment.
Read More →
