National Spot Truckload Rates Drop 2 Cents as Loads Tumble

The number of available trucks on the spot truckload market jumped 4.2% and the number of posted loads tumbled 4.1% during the week ending Nov. 14, according to DAT Solutions.

The offsetting capacity gain and decline in available loads helped push national average spot market rates down 2 cents for van, refrigerated, and flatbed freight.

The national average spot truckload van rate fell to $1.70 per mile and slipped in key markets including Los Angeles (down 2 cents to $1.99 per mile) and Memphis (down 6 cents to $1.97) despite higher volumes. Van load availability held steady (up 0.5%) and capacity increased 3.7%. The van load-to-truck ratio was unchanged from the previous week at 1.6 loads per truck, meaning there were 1.6 available van loads for every truck posted on the DAT network.

For refrigerated freight, the national average spot rate fell to $1.92 per mile, although outbound rates rose in major markets including Elizabeth, N.J. (up 10 cents to $1.76) and McAllen, Texas (up 2 cents to $1.68). The number of available reefer loads increased 6.4% while truck capacity rose just 1.9%, which sent the load-to-truck ratio up 4.4% to 4.1 loads per truck.

Flatbed load availability fell 16.7% against a gain of 8.9% in truck posts. The national flatbed load-to-truck ratio gave up 23.5% to 6.2 loads per truck and the national average spot flatbed rate dropped to $1.95 per mile.

The national average price of diesel fell 2 cents to $2.48 per gallon last week. All reported rates include fuel surcharges.

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