National linehaul spot rates remain above last year despite recent declines in dry van and reefer rates

Last week, spot rates fell but remained strong compared to recent years, according to weekly reports from FTR Transportation Intelligence and DAT Freight & Analytics.

According to FTR, “broker-posted spot rates for dry van and refrigerated equipment continued to fall from their recent weather-induced surge during the week ended February 20 (week 7)... Meanwhile, flatbed spot rates rose for the 13th time in 14 weeks to their highest level since the beginning of May and are the strongest year over year since the spring of 2022. A new winter storm in the northeastern U.S. could prop up van rates this week.”

Here is how rates and volumes changed across the three major spot market equipment types:

Dry van rates and volumes

According to FTR: Spot rates dropped 2.6 cents last week. Year over year, rates are up 19%. Dry van loads fell 2.9%. 

According to DAT: National linehaul spot rates dropped $0.02 per mile last week, averaging $2.04 per mile. This rate is 24% higher than last year.

Refrigerated rates and volumes

According to FTR: Spot rates fell almost 12 cents last week. Rates were about 25% higher than last year. Refrigerated loads fell 8.4%.

According to DAT: National linehaul spot rates dropped $0.07 per mile last week, averaging $2.46 per mile. This rate is about 28% higher than last year.

Flatbed rates and volumes

According to FTR: Spot rates rose just under 4 cents last week. Year over year, rates were up about 11%. Flatbed loads rose 8.3%.

According to DAT: National linehaul spot rates rose $0.02 per mile last week, averaging $2.26 per mile. This rate is 15% higher than last year.