Spot truckload rates rise across dry van, refrigerated, and flatbed markets to multiyear highs

Spot rates continued to rise, breaking new records, according to data from FTR Transportation Intelligence and DAT Freight & Analytics.

According to FTR, flatbed rates last week were less than a tenth of a cent short of the all-time high set in May 2022. Dry van spot rates were the highest since April 2022, while refrigerated spot rates have yet to match the final week of 2025 or week 4 or 13 of this year.”

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 4 cents last week. Year over year, rates were up almost 44%. Dry van loads rose 1.9%. 

According to DAT: National linehaul spot rates rose 1 cent last week, averaging $2.01 per mile. This rate was 26% higher than last year.

Refrigerated rates and volumes

According to FTR: Spot rates rose almost 6 cents last week. Rates were about 39% higher than last year. Refrigerated loads rose 6.2%.

According to DAT: National linehaul spot rates held steady last week, averaging $2.36 per mile. This rate was 23% higher than last year.

Flatbed rates and volumes

According to FTR: Spot rates rose almost 8 cents last week. Year over year, rates were up nearly 38%. Flatbed loads fell 1.4%.

According to DAT: National linehaul spot rates rose $0.01 per mile last week, averaging $2.70 per mile. This rate was 28% higher than last year.