However, load-to-truck ratios increased and diesel prices have been rising sharply — an indication that spot rates may pick up soon, DAT said.
Loads, Capacity Down
The number of spot market load posts fell 4%, driven by a 6% drop in flatbed load volume. Fewer truck posts compared to the previous week helped boost load-to-truck ratios across all three equipment types: the van ratio gained 1%, to 1.7 loads per truck; the reefer ratio increased 18% to 3.3; and the flatbed ratio was up 5% to 15.4. Load-to-truck ratios measure the number of loads posted for each available truck on the DAT network.
National average spot TL rates held firm last week. The van rate was down 1 cent to $1.53/mile, the reefer rate was down a penny to $1.87/mile, and the flatbed rate was unchanged at $1.91/mile for the third week in a row.
Reefer Trends
Spot reefer rates rose on more than half of the highest-volume lanes. The high-dollar market in each region:
- West: Los Angeles, $2.41/mile, unchanged
- Midwest: Grand Rapids, Mich., $2.39/mile, up 2 cents
- South Central: McAllen, Texas, $1.88/mile, down 1 cent
- Southeast: Miami, $2.06/mile, unchanged
- Northeast: Philadelphia, $2.16/mile, down 9 cents
Atlanta and Lakeland, Fla., are still No. 1 and 2 for reefer load posts on DAT load boards, though volumes slipped a bit in Central Florida.
Van Trends
Rates are derived from DAT RateView, which provides real-time reports on prevailing spot market and contract rates, as well as historical rate and capacity trends. All reported rates include fuel surcharges.
Load-to-truck ratios represent the number of loads posted for every truck available on DAT load boards. The load-to-truck ratio is a sensitive, real-time indicator of the balance between spot market demand and capacity. Changes in the ratio often signal impending changes in rates.
For complete national and regional reports on spot rates and demand, visit dat.com/Trendlines. DAT Trendlines is a weekly report on spot market freight availability, truck capacity, and rates.
