Latest Spot Market: Demand Hits Multi-Year High

Rates Climb In Week 8 As Load Demand Surges

The spot market remained elevated during the week ended February 27 (Week 8), as broker-posted rates and load activity climbed to multi-year highs. According to FTR’s Truckstop.com data, total spot rates rose 5.7 cents and reached their highest level since the final week of 2022. Flatbed and dry van rates moved higher, while reefer rates posted only a small decline. Overall spot market rates were nearly 14% higher than the same week in 2025 — the strongest year-over-year comparison since March 2022.

A winter storm in the Northeast added short-term pressure. However, seasonal demand and tight truck capacity are now the main drivers behind current spot market strength.

Load Activity Hits Highest Level Since 2022

Demand increased sharply in Week 8. Total load postings rose 6.0% and reached their highest level since July 2022.

Load volume was nearly 38% higher than the same week last year. At the same time, truck postings increased only 1.7%.

Because loads grew faster than available trucks, the Market Demand Index (MDI) — the ratio of loads to trucks — climbed to its highest level since March 2022. That signals tighter capacity conditions across the spot market.

Dry Van Spot Market Rates Tick Higher

Dry van rates increased nearly 1 cent after falling over the previous two weeks. Rates are now:

• Nearly 16 cents higher than before January’s major winter storm
• 20% higher than the same week in 2025

The Northeast saw the biggest increase, with rates jumping just under 14 cents due to storm-related demand. The Southeast posted the next strongest gain at just over 3 cents. Other regions saw modest declines.

Dry van loads rose 1.7% week over week. Volume was nearly 29% higher than last year. The Northeast saw load volume surge more than 21%.

Refrigerated Spot Market Rates Ease But Stay Elevated

Refrigerated spot market rates declined 3.6 cents in Week 8. Even so, rates remain about 27% higher than the same week last year.

Reefer rates are now only about 7 cents above pre-storm levels. In a normal year, rates would typically be lower by this point in the season.

Reefer loads increased 6.1% and were slightly more than 5% higher than last year. Volume rose sharply in the Northeast and Southeast but dipped slightly in the Midwest.

Flatbed Spot Market Rates Reach Multi-Month High

Flatbed market rates climbed nearly 7 cents and reached their highest level since April. That April level had been the strongest since October 2022.

Flatbed rates have increased in 14 of the past 15 weeks. They are now nearly 12% higher than the same week in 2025.

Flatbed load volume rose 6.9% and reached its highest level since June 2022. Load postings were more than 49% higher than last year.

What Is Driving The Spot Market Now?

FTR noted that January’s winter storm may have triggered a faster reset in spot market rates than would normally occur in early spring. Analysts compared the impact to the shift seen after Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

While future weather disruptions should be limited, seasonal tightening and ongoing capacity stress are expected to support firm spot market conditions in the near term.

What The Spot Market Means For Truck Drivers

• Load volume is at its strongest level since mid-2022
• Dry van rates are rebounding
• Reefer rates remain well above last year
• Flatbed continues a steady upward trend
• Capacity remains tight

If these trends continue, the spot market could remain firm into early spring.