Spot market rates rise for dry van, refrigerated, and flatbed loads after holiday week surge

Last week, spot rates rose after a previous drop, according to weekly reports from FTR Transportation Intelligence and DAT Freight & Analytics.

According to FTR, rates were more than 4% higher than this time last year. The firm noted that “dry van spot rates have been somewhat stronger than seasonal for a couple of weeks, while the latest week was the only one in which refrigerated spot rates deviated from their pattern for 2025. Unusual strength or weakness around holiday weeks should be viewed skeptically as a sign of potential market inflection.”

Dry van rates and volumes

According to FTR: Spot rates rose just over 4 cents last week, after a major jump the previous week. Year over year, rates are up around 7%. Dry van loads increased 113.3% week over week after the recent holiday.

According to DAT: National linehaul spot rates rose $0.07 per mile last week, averaging $1.81 per mile. This rate is about 6% higher than last year.

Refrigerated rates and volumes

According to FTR: Spot rates rose over 21 cents last week, after a slight decline the previous week. Rates were a little over 15% higher than last year. Refrigerated loads rose 90.3% last week, the highest level this year since International Roadcheck, with volumes up 67% compared to last year.

According to DAT: The national seven-day rolling average for spot rates rose $0.05 per mile week over week, reaching $2.18. This rate is 6% higher than last year.

Flatbed rates and volumes

According to FTR: Spot rates rose 4 cents last week, after the previous week’s plateau. Year over year, rates were up about 4.5%. Flatbed loads surged 154.4% last week—the highest level in seven weeks.

According to DAT: National linehaul spot rates rose $0.04 per mile last week, averaging $2.05 per mile. This rate is 5% higher than last year.