Spot TL Capacity Loosens Up

More capacity, less freight, and a 1-cent lower fuel surcharge compared to the previous week caused national average van and reefer spot rates to fall 1 cent per mile. The national average flatbed rate rose a penny.

VAN TRENDS

The national average spot truckload van rate was $1.63/mile, 1 cent lower due to the reduced fuel surcharge. Key regional trends:

– California: Los Angeles averaged $1.83/mile, up 1 cent. Volumes in California are improving slowly. As that happens, rates should improve in order to attract capacity.
– Texas: The state is a hot spot for van freight, with Dallas adding 3 cents per mile to $1.56/mile.
– Chicago: Chicago averaged 2 cents higher at $1.94/mile. Key lane: Chicago-Buffalo, up 18 cents to $2.33/mile.

REEFER TRENDS

At $1.86/mile, the average spot reefer rate is up just 1.5% from late February despite a 14% uptick in volume on the high-traffic lanes.

Denver outbound rates rose 10 cents to $1.38/mile. Denver-Phoenix averaged $1.77/mile, well above the norm. With the NCAA Final Four in Glendale this weekend, those beer coolers apparently need filling.

Other markets to watch:

– Green Bay, $2.64/mile, up 2 cents
– Dallas, $1.85/mile, up 9 cents
– Lakeland, Fla., $1.36/mile, down 6 cents

Northeast markets calmed down after the winter weather passed. Elizabeth, N.J.-Boston thawed out, dropping 46 cents to $3.67/mile, and Philadelphia-Boston was down 15 cents to $3.35/mile.

FLATBED TRENDS

The flatbed load-to-truck ratio declined slightly after seven straight weeks of increases. Load posts fell 1% and truck posts increased 3% compared to the previous week.

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. All reported rates include fuel surcharges.