Spot truckload van and refrigerated freight rates finally recovered during the week ending September 5, 2015, after a period of higher demand and falling fuel surcharges, according to DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards.
The average flatbed rate lost 2 cents per mile, however. National average load-to-truck ratios rose for all three equipment types.
Van load availability increased for the second straight week, with the number of posted loads up 6% compared with the previous week. With available truck capacity down 3%, the national average load-to-truck ratio increased to 2.0 loads per truck the week ending September 5, meaning there were 2.0 available van loads for every truck posted on the DAT network.
The national average van rate rose 3 cents to $1.78 per mile despite a 1-cent decline in fuel surcharges, showing signs of recovery.
During August, the average van rate was $1.75 per mile, 6 cents lower than in July, due partly to a 4-cent drop in the average fuel surcharge; and 25 cents below the rate for August 2014, also due to the fuel price decline that shaved 23 cents per mile off the average surcharge.
