National average spot truckload rates were unchanged as spot market activity slowed during the week ending June 25, 2016, according to DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards.
The total number of posted loads fell 6.2% while available truck capacity dropped 9.3%. Load-to-truck ratios increased across all three equipment types.
•Reefers: The national average spot market rate was unchanged at $1.95/mile. However, a 9% increase in the load-to-truck ratio—to 5.8 available reefer loads per truck—signaled that rates are likely to rise soon due to end-of-quarter and pre-holiday demand.
California markets continue to pick up, with the average outbound rate from Los Angeles adding 7 cents to $2.21/mile. Demand continues to heat up for vans in the Southeast, as loads from Charlotte NC averaged $2.09/mile, up 5 cents, while Atlanta GA gained 4 cents to $1.94/mile.
•Flatbeds: At $1.95/mile, the national average flatbed rate was unchanged compared with the previous week, and several markets and lanes gave back that week’s gains:
—Pittsburgh PA to Houston TX: $1.15/mile, down 46 cents
—Harrisburg PA: $3.01/mile, a 5-cent drop
—Rock Island IL: $2.37/mile, down 8 cents
—Baltimore MD to Springfield IL: $3.30/mile, down 11 cents
Flatbed load posts fell 7% and capacity decreased 4% the week ending June 25 as the load-to-truck ratio dropped 3% to 17.6 loads per truck.
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.
Get the latest rate trends at www.DAT.com/Trendlines.
