Spot market freight volume set yet another record in September 2014, with a 32% increase compared with September 2013. Spot freight has seen 14 consecutive months of year-over-year peaks. In a typical seasonal trend, freight availability declined 5.5% versus August, according to the DAT North American Freight Index.
Compared with September 2013, freight volume rose for all three equipment categories in the United States. Load availability for dry vans increased 42%, refrigerated (reefer) freight climbed 24%, and flatbed volume added 46%. National average truckload rates also advanced on the spot market for all three equipment types. Van rates rose 15%, while rates for reefers and flatbeds both gained 16%.
In contrast to August, freight volume increased 3.0% for vans, but dipped 4.1% seasonally for reefers and dropped 12% for flatbeds. Van rates were up 2.0% and reefer rates rose 2.8%, but flatbed rates slipped 2.1% lower, month over month.
Reference rates are derived from DAT RateView. Rates are cited for linehaul only, excluding fuel surcharges, which declined on both a month-over-month and year-over-year basis. The monthly DAT North American Freight Index reflects spot market freight availability on the DAT Network of load boards in the United States and Canada. Additional trends and analysis are available at DAT Trendlines.
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