Truckload Rates Rise Again

Truckload rates, as measured on the DAT network of load boards picked up after Thanksgiving, as available capacity jumped 11% and the number of posted loads increased 20% during the week ending Dec. 6.

The group noted that “gains are typical of the first full week after a holiday.”

Perhaps the bigger storyline is the continued general strength of spot market rates. Compared to the previous week, the national average van rate gained 5 cents to $2.10 per mile despite a 1-cent decline in the fuel surcharge. The average rate for flatbed loads increased 2 cents to $2.33 per mile while the refrigerated rate jumped 4 cents to $2.41.

Regionally, the average van rate from Los Angeles fell 12 cents to $2.46 per mile. The highest-paying van lane in the West was Los Angeles to Denver at $3.37 per mile, up 22 cents compared to the previous week.

Other high-paying markets by region:

• Buffalo, $2.16 per mile (down 16 cents)

• Memphis, $2.39 per mile (down 5 cents)

• Dallas, $1.81 per mile (down 6 cents)

• Chicago, $2.32 per mile (down 12 cents)

Van freight availability was up 9.6% for the week while available van capacity increased 7.6%.

The national average load-to-truck ratio for vans increased 1.8%, from 4.4 to 4.5 loads per truck.

Flatbed load availability increased 40% after a 28% decline during the Thanksgiving week. The number of available trucks increased 28%, which pushed the load-to-truck ratio up 8.9% to 18.2 loads per truck as a national average.

Category: General Update, Management