The number of available loads on the spot truckload freight market dipped 0.9% during the week ending Aug. 20 while van load volume picked up, indicating that spot van rates may soon be on the rise, reported DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards.
Overall, the number of truck posts was largely unchanged and the load-to-truck ratio held at 4.2 loads per truck on DAT load boards.
Vans
The national average van rate slipped 1 cent to $1.60/mile compared to the previous week, although rates were stable on the country’s top 100 van lanes.
The number of van load posts increased 1% and truck posts stayed the same, which yielded an increase in the load-to-truck ratio from 2.5 to 2.6 loads per truck.
Flooding in Louisiana led to higher rates on lanes heading into the New Orleans market, which includes Baton Rouge.
Van loads from Dallas to New Orleans paid 18 cents better last week at an average of $1.79/mile. Houston to New Orleans also added 16 cents to $2.10/mile.
Increases were even more dramatic on lanes into the Shreveport market, which includes Alexandria. Ensler Field outside Alexandria is one of the staging areas for FEMA.
Reefers
The number of reefer load posts increased 2% last week while capacity declined 2%. That boosted the load-to-truck ratio from 5.0 to 5.3 loads per truck. Volume is still up 8% from this time a month ago, and rates have mostly held firm on the high-traffic lanes.
The national average spot market rate for reefers edged down 1 cent to $1.89/mile. By region, top-paying markets included:
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West: Los Angeles, $2.40/mile (down 4 cents)
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Midwest: Grand Rapids, Mich., $2.75/mile (up 7 cents)
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South Central: Dallas, $1.70/mile (up 4 cents)
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Southeast: Atlanta, $2.24/mile (down 6 cents)
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Northeast: Philadelphia, $2.17/mile (down 3 cents)
Flatbeds
