Spot Rates on Truckload Market Notch Solid End to 2014

Freight availability on the spot truckload market was generally stable (up 0.8%) during the week ending Jan. 3, according to DAT Solutions.

The number of available trucks posted between Christmas and New Year’s Day fell 22% compared to the previous week, as more truckers than brokers appeared to take the week off.

Key metrics for the week include:

Rates stay steady: National average spot market rates were steady at $2.07 per mile for van freight, down 1 cent; $2.31 per mile for flatbed freight, up 1 cent; and $2.38 for refrigerated freight, up 2 cents. These rates include a fuel surcharge which fell 1 cent as a national average.

Demand is up: The van load-to-truck ratio increased from 3.3 to an atypically high 4.3, meaning there were 4.3 van loads posted for every available van on DAT load boards. The reefer load-to-truck ratio increased from 10.2 to 13.9, while the flatbed load-to-truck ratio increased from 18.5 to 22.9.

Fuel prices tumble: The national average fuel price fell 7 cents (2.1%) to $3.14 per gallon. Declining fuel prices tend to have a dampening effect on spot market rates. When fuel prices slip, the surcharge drops and the total rate may decline accordingly.

Category: Featured, General Update, Management