Spot Truckload Rates Below Year Earlier Levels Despite Monthly Gains
While spot truckload freight rates showed some improvements in May from the month before, they remain below levels from a year earlier, according to new figures released by the freight matching service provider DAT Solutions.
Evan Lockridge・Former Business Contributing Editor
June 9, 2016
The DAT North American Freight Index increased 5% in May from the month before but remains below the level from a year ago.Graphic: DAT
2 min to read
The DAT North American Freight Index increased 5% in May from the month before but remains below the level from a year ago. Graphic: DAT
While spot truckload freight rates showed some improvements in May from the month before, they remain well below levels from a year earlier, according to new figures released by the freight matching service provider DAT Solutions.
The DAT North American Freight Index, based on the company’s load board activity, shows average line haul rates on the spot market increased 1.5% for vans and 4.3% for reefers. During the latter half of May, however, rising rates on the top 80 van lanes far outnumbered declines, indicating rates were following increased demand. Flatbed rates declined 0.6%.
Ad Loading...
Spot freight availability in May increased 19% for both dry vans and refrigerated vans. Flatbed freight, however, declined by 10% month-over-month largely due to energy sector woes impacting Houston, the top flatbed market in North America, according to DAT. Consequently, overall spot market freight volume increased 5%, compared to April.
Meantime, when May is compared to a year earlier overall spot market freight availability fell 25%.
Ad Loading...
“Spot freight has declined year-over-year since January 2015,” said DAT. “Contributing factors include vastly increased contract carrier capacity and intermediaries tendering exception freight to their core carriers.”
Demand declined 25% for vans, 28% for reefer trailers and 26% for flatbed freight. Likewise, year-over-year line haul rates fell 14% for vans, 11% for reefers and 8% for flatbeds.
“Total carrier revenue has been impacted by a 35% drop (10 cents per mile) in the fuel surcharge compared to last May,” said DAT. “The total rate includes both the line haul rate and the surcharge, which is pegged to the retail cost of diesel fuel.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The American Transportation Research Institute will examine driver coaching, regulatory impacts — including the "Beyond Compliance" concept —and weather disruptions that shape trucking operations.
