Spot Rates, Capacity Mixed

The national average spot market rate for van loads slipped another 3 cents (1.5%) to $2.03 per mile during the week ending April 26, according to DAT Solutions.

Available van loads on the DAT network fell another 8.6% last week while capacity increased 1.7%. This sent the van load-to-truck ratio down 10% from 3.0 to 2.7.

Load-to-truck ratios represent the number of loads posted for every truck posted on the DAT network of load boards. Overall, the van rate has declined each of the past four weeks as demand returns to a more typical, seasonal pattern.

On the spot van market, for every available truck last week there were 2.7 available loads. Among key truckload van markets, the average outbound rate from Chicago lost 9 cents to $2.18 per mile, Columbus dropped 5 cents to $2.12 per mile, Memphis was down 6 cents to $2.40 per mile; and Buffalo fell 11 cents to $2.22 per mile.

The average outbound van rate from Los Angeles gained 2 cents to $2.19 per mile, while the rate out of Stockton was unchanged at $2.05 per mile. The national average rate for refrigerated loads held at $2.28 per mile despite a 10% drop in volume on DAT load boards and 1.9% capacity gain.

The refrigerated load-to-truck ratio fell 12%, from 8.9 to 7.8. Regionally, rates strengthened in California, where the average outbound rate from Fresno increased 11 cents to $2.38 per mile and Los Angeles increased 3 cents to $2.72 per mile.

In the flatbed spot market, the national average rate was unchanged at $2.35 per mile. Capacity shrank 3% and the resulting load-to-truck ratio rose 2.8% from 37.5 to 38.5, meaning that for

Category: General Update