Dry van spot market rates rise during Thanksgiving

Dry van rates grew at a strong pace last week, according to weekly reports from FTR Transportation Intelligence and DAT Freight & Analytics.

According to FTR, total broker-posted spot rates increased 2.5 cents to $2.30 per mile, which the firm noted was the strongest increase in eight weeks and was driven by dry van rates. Total rates were roughly 3% higher than those of last year’s Thanksgiving week.

Here are how rates and volumes changed across the three major spot market equipment types:

Dry van rates and volumes

According to FTR: Spot rates jumped over 13 cents to an average $2.12 per mile. Rates were roughly 5% higher than those of last year’s Thanksgiving week. Dry van loads fell 39.5% during the holiday week but remained 12% higher than last Thanksgiving’s.

According to DAT: National linehaul spot rates increased by 7 cents, averaging $1.75 per mile excluding fuel. This rate is about 3% higher than the same week last year (which did not include Thanksgiving).

Refrigerated rates and volumes

According to FTR: Spot rates declined nearly 4 cents to $2.55 per mile. Rates were still about 6% higher than 2024’s Thanksgiving week. Refrigerated loads fell 37.3% and, compared to last year’s Thanksgiving, declined 12%.

According to DAT: The national seven-day rolling average for spot rates increased 5 cents, reaching $2.13 per mile excluding fuel. This rate is 3% higher than the same week last year.

Flatbed rates and volumes

According to FTR: Spot rates barely moved up—just a tenth of a cent—and remained about $2.30 per mile. Flatbed rates were up nearly 3% compared to last Thanksgiving week. Flatbed loads plunged 53% but were still up 32% compared to last year’s holiday.

According to DAT: National linehaul spot rates held steady, remaining at $2.01 per mile excluding fuel. This rate is 2% higher than the same time last year.