Refrigeratedtransporter 3103 Spot Market 02032018

Spot rates maintain downward direction heading into February

Feb. 12, 2018
See the results as spot truckload rates continued to decline going into February, according to DAT Solutions.

National average spot truckload rates continued to decline as the number of available loads slipped nearly 6% during the week ending February 3, 2018, said DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards.

The number of truck posts increased 3%, which helped push refrigerated and dry van load-to-truck ratios down to near mid-December levels, before the mandate on electronic logging devices took effect:

•Reefers—10.2 loads per truck

•Vans—6.9 available loads per truck

•Flatbeds—61.1 loads per truck

Reefer load posts fell 19% and truck posts climbed 2%. Prices remain high even though rates on most high-traffic lanes were down. Long-haul lanes from the southern border took big steps back, including McAllen TX-Elizabeth NJ (down 51 cents to $2.76/mile) and Nogales AZ to Brooklyn NY (down 79 cents to $2.43/mile).

National average rates dropped 8 cents for reefers ($2.59/mile), 3 cents for van freight ($2.23/mile), and 13 cents for flatbeds ($2.26/mile). The price of diesel rose again, with the national average up 1.6 cents to $3.09/gallon.

Heading into what is traditionally a slow month, the number of van loads posted declined 16% and truck posts advanced 4%. Van rates were down in nearly every major market, although prices are higher than they were a year ago. Chicago’s outbound average had the sharpest decline the week ending February 3, sinking 16 cents to $2.77/mile after a 15-cent drop the previous week. Elsewhere:

•Houston, $2.00/mile, down 6 cents

•Memphis, $2.54/mile, down 1 cent

•Los Angeles, $2.32/mile, down 9 cents

•Columbus OH, $2.29/mile, down 8 cents

Spot prices for flatbed freight remain solid amid improved demand for capacity. Load posts increased 13% and truck posts decreased 2%; the 61.9 load-to-truck is the second highest flatbed load-to-truck ratio seen in years.

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, go to www.dat.com/industry-trends/trendlines.

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