Reefer and van spot truckload rates cool off; capacity picks up

National average spot refrigerated and van truckload rates fell during the week ending February 17, 2018, but remain well ahead of 2017’s levels, said DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards.

Reefers dipped 5 cents to $2.45/mile and the van rate fell 2 cents to $2.15/mile compared with the previous week. It was the sixth week in a row that the van rate has declined, a normal trend for this time of year. The average is still higher than at any point in 2017.

Volumes are also higher than they were a month ago. The number of available loads increased 1.5% and while trucks rose 1.1%. Load-to-truck ratios shifted slightly:

•Reefers—9.6 loads per truck, down 6%

•Vans—7.2 available loads per truck, down 2%

•Flatbeds—64.2 loads per truck, up 4%

Reefer load posts dropped 5% and truck posts edged up 1%. Prices are still unusually high year over year, although at $2.45/mile the average is 25 cents less than in January.

In the van market, load posts were unchanged and truck posts advanced 2%. With a few exceptions, prices were stable out of the major markets for van freight:

—Chicago, $2.68/mile, down 3 cents

—Houston, $1.97/mile, unchanged

—Dallas, $1.92/mile, up 1 cent

—Memphis, $2.50/mile, up 1 cent

—Atlanta, $2.32/mile, unchanged

—Los Angeles, $2.17/mile, down 4 cents

The average flatbed rate was $2.30/mile, rising for the third straight week. Load posts were up 1% and truck posts fell 3%. Altogether, flatbed volumes have held steady since an uptick at the end of January.

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.

For the latest spot market load availability and rate information, visit www.dat.com/industry-trends/trendlines.