Spot truckload freight rates continued trickling lower for the third straight week for the week ending Jan. 27, according to new figures release from freight matching service provider DAT Solutions. Despite this drop, rates remained higher than at any point in 2017, based on information from this network of load boards.
Evan Lockridge・Former Business Contributing Editor
January 30, 2018
2 min to read
Average spot truckload freight rates over the past four weeks. Graphic: DAT
Spot truckload freight rates continued trickling lower for the third straight week for the week ending Jan. 27, according to new figures release from freight matching service provider DAT Solutions. Despite this drop, rates remained higher than at any point in 2017, based on information from this network of load boards.
The van and flatbed rate each fell 1 cent to $2.26 per mile and $2.39 per mile, respectively. The rate for refrigerated freight decreased 3 cents to $2.67 per mile as produce and other temperature-controlled goods experience a seasonal lull.
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Spot load-to-truck ratios have eased off from record highs as the overall number of available loads fell 3% and truck capacity increased 8.3% compared to the previous week.
Van: 8.5 available loads per truck, down from 9.8 the week before
Flatbed: 53.9 loads per truck, unchanged
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Refrigerated: 12.8 loads per truck, falling from 12.8 from the previous week
While spot van volumes declined 5% and truck posts increased 10% van rates fell in major markets over the past week
Chicago, $2.92 per mile, down 15 cents
Columbus, Ohio, $2.78 per mile, down 9 cents
Philadelphia, $2.34 per mile, down 10 cents
Charlotte, $2.57 per mile, down 5 cents
Los Angeles, $2.42 per mile, down 12 cents
In the reefer market, load posts fell 14% and truck posts increased 4%. The national average reefer rate dipped despite strong prices in key markets including
Green Bay, $4.18 per mile, up 18 cents
McAllen, Texas, $2.95 per mile, down 4 cents
Atlanta, $2.89 per mile, down 4 cents
Los Angeles, $3.19 per mile, down 13 cents
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Spot prices for flatbed freight remain seasonally high. The national average flatbed rate slipped but was buoyed by stronger construction and oilfield activity, according to DAT. The flatbed load-to-truck ratio was unchanged as load posts increased 6% and truck posts also increased 6%.
During this time the national average price of on-highway diesel fuel was $3.03 per gallon, and all U.S. regions are experienced an increase compared to a year ago. Spot truckload freight rates include a fuel surcharge portion.
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