Truckload Spot Rates Surge as 2018 Begins

The number of available loads increased 27%, in line with expectations when a full workweek follows a holiday-shortened one. However, the number of trucks posted to DAT load boards was up just 7.4% and the imbalance pushed load-to-truck ratios up for all three equipment types:

– Van load-to-truck ratio: 14.7, the highest van ratio ever recorded in DAT Trendlines

– Flatbed ratio: 63.5, up 22%

– Reefer ratio: 25.2, up 6%

In the van market, load posts jumped 26% but truck posts were up only 6%, as many truckers were still taking time off. The national average van rate was $2.30/mile, up 19 cents compared to the previous week.

Houston ($2.02/mile, up 11 cents) was the top market for outbound van volume and most of the top 100 van lanes saw higher rates. A sampling:

– Chicago, $3.02/mile, up 10 cents

– Columbus, Ohio, $2.87/mile, up 9 cents

– Buffalo, N.Y., $2.87/mile, up 5 cents

– Philadelphia, $2.35/mile, up 5 cents

– Memphis, $2.58/mile, up 10 cents

Van markets where rates were down included Los Angeles ($2.86/mile, down 11 cents) and Dallas ($2.07/mile, down 7 cents). There were big drops on other van lanes that have been otherwise busy:

– Los Angeles-Dallas was down 21 cents to an average of $2.27/mile

– Dallas-Denver dropped 22 cents to $2.58/mile

– Seattle-Salt Lake City lost 33 cents to $2.44/mile

Reefer load posts on DAT load boards increased 14% while reefer truck posts increased only 7%. The national average refrigerated spot rates increased 25 cents to $2.71/mile, a record high for reefers. Nogales, Ariz., was the only produce-shipping market to post any big rate increases last week. Miami, Sacramento, and Lakeland, Fla., all experienced sharp drops last week.

Demand for refrigerated trailers peaked at year-end but cold weather in parts of the country has kept prices at record levels where reefer trailers are used to keep freight from freezing.

Flatbed load posts surged 46% and truck posts increased 20% last week. The national average flatbed rate climbed 10 cents to $2.43/mile to start the year.

The national average price of on-highway diesel fuel increased another 10 cents to $3.00/gallon. Spot truckload freight rates include a fuel surcharge portion.