Spot market rates show mixed trends with refrigerated gains and flatbed declines

Last week, spot rates performed mostly as expected, according to weekly reports from FTR Transportation Intelligence and DAT Freight & Analytics.

According to FTR, refrigerated rates rose modestly, while flatbed rates fell. The firm noted that “Dry van spot rates increased marginally, which technically contrasts with recent years, but until 2020 they always rose in comparable weeks. Prior-year comparisons will become less reliable for a few weeks due to calendar distortions.”

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

Dry van rates and volumes

According to FTR: Spot rates rose just four-tenths of a cent after a 2-cent increase last week. Year over year, rates are down around 0.3%. Dry van loads decreased 1.3% week-over-week.

According to DAT: National linehaul spot rates dropped 2 cents per mile last week, averaging $1.68 per mile. This rate is less than 1% higher than last year.

Refrigerated rates and volumes

According to FTR: Spot rates rose 3.5 cents last week. Rates were a little over 1% higher than last year. Refrigerated loads dropped 0.2% last week, with volumes down 22% compared to last year.

According to DAT: The national 7-day rolling average for spot rates dropped one penny per mile week-over-week, reaching $2.08. This rate is 1% higher than last year.

Flatbed rates and volumes

According to FTR: Spot rates dropped more than 4 cents last week, the largest drop in 16 weeks. Year over year, rates were up 1% again. Flatbed loads fell 9.1% last week—the lowest level in 19 weeks.

According to DAT: National linehaul spot rates fell 4 cents per mile last week, averaging $2.01 per mile. This rate is 3% higher than last year.