DAT: Spot truckload rates on upswing

The number of available loads on DAT load boards increased 5.4% compared to the previous week while posted capacity fell 2.9%. Van and reefer load-to-truck ratios had double-digit increases:

• Van ratio: 3.7 loads per truck, up 12%
• Reefer ratio: 7.2, up 17%
• Flatbed ratio: 38.3, up 4%

VAN TRENDS

The national average van rate increased 1 cent $1.69/mile as the number of posted loads increased 9% while truck posts fell 3%. Average outbound rates from major markets were mixed:

REEFER TRENDS

Reefer load posts increased 13% while truck posts declined 2% last week. The national average spot reefer rate held at $1.99/mile, the highest weekly average since mid-January.

Prices out of California were varied, with rates trending up in Southern California but slipping or remaining unchanged in Central Valley markets. With harvests winding down in Florida, rates dropped significantly from Miami and Lakeland.

Other key reefer lanes:

• McAllen-Dallas: $2.51/mile, down 3 cents
• Elizabeth, N.J.-Boston: $3.46/mile, down 12 cents
• Atlanta-Chicago: $1.57/mile, down 15 cents
• Los Angeles-Denver: $2.87/mile, up 3 cents
• Grand Rapids-Atlanta: $1.92/mile, up 2 cents

FLATBED TRENDS

There was very little movement in the flatbed trends as load posts increased 1% while truck posts declined 3%. The national average spot flatbed rate added 1 cent to $2.09/mil, and at 38.3, the flatbed load-to-truck ratio remains strong.

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.

Get the latest rate trends at DAT.com