Spot truckload volume increased 11% during the week ending April 2, 2016, as shippers moved freight out the door to close the year’s first quarter on a high note, reported DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards. Available capacity dropped 5.5% to drive load-to-truck ratios up across all three equipment types.
Month-over-month, spot volume was 42% higher in March compared with February. March volume was 28% less versus March 2015, however.
In the van market, the number of posted loads increased 16% the week ending April 2 as the national average van rate added a penny to $1.57 per mile.
While the van rate increases aren’t dramatic, they are trending upward over the past month in popular lanes, especially in the Southeast and South Central regions.
The number of reefer load posts climbed 3% while truck posts fell 2% the week ending April 2. As a result, the national average reefer load-to-truck ratio rose 5% to 3.2 and the reefer rate was unchanged at $1.82 per mile. Demand and rates are trending up slowly in the spot reefer market.
Flatbed load volume rebounded 12% and capacity decreased 10% the week ending April 2, for a 23% hike in the load-to-truck ratio. The national average flatbed rate picked up 4 cents to $1.91 per mile.
The national average diesel price stayed at $2.12 a gallon.
Rates are derived from DAT RateView, which provides real-time reports on prevailing spot market and contract rates, as well as historical rate and capacity trends. All reported rates include fuel surcharges.
Load-to-truck ratios represent the number of loads posted for every truck available on DAT load boards. The load-to-truck ratio is a sensitive, real-time indicator of the balance between spot market demand and capacity. Changes in the ratio often signal impending changes in rates.
For complete national and regional reports on spot rates and demand, go to www.dat.com/Trendlines.
