Latest Spot Market Rates: Dry Van Down, Flatbed Up

Spot Market Update: Van Rates Ease as Flatbed Climbs

Spot Market Shows Mixed Movement in Week 14

The Spot Market saw mixed results during the week ending April 10 (Week 14), as freight rates and load volumes shifted across equipment types. While dry van and reefer rates pulled back slightly after recent gains, flatbed rates continued to climb, extending a strong upward trend.

Broker-posted rates in the Truckstop system showed that overall demand remained elevated compared to last year. At the same time, rising fuel costs linked to ongoing tensions involving Iran continued to influence pricing across the trucking market.

Total Spot Market Rates Reach Multi-Year High

Total broker-posted spot rates increased by 7.3 cents per mile week over week, reaching an average of $3.17 per mile. This marked the highest level since June 2022, despite being the smallest weekly gain in five weeks.

Compared to the same week in 2025, total spot market rates were up about 26%. Rates excluding a calculated fuel surcharge also rose nearly 17%, showing that pricing strength extends beyond fuel-related adjustments.

Fuel costs have played a key role in shaping the spot market. Assuming a fuel economy of 6 miles per gallon, dry van rates have largely kept pace with the roughly 29-cent increase in fuel cost per mile over the past five weeks. Refrigerated and flatbed rates have outpaced those added costs, exceeding them by about 7 cents and 24 cents per mile, respectively.

Load Activity Remains Strong

Total load activity increased 1.5% week over week, reaching an index level of 222.5. Gains in flatbed volume helped offset declines in dry van and refrigerated freight.

Compared to the same week last year, total load postings were about 44% higher. Flatbed and dry van segments drove much of that increase, showing continued strength in freight demand across key sectors.

Truck postings declined 2.3% during the week. As a result, the Market Demand Index—which measures the ratio of loads to available trucks—rose to its highest level since February 2022. This suggests tighter capacity conditions in the spot market despite recent rate adjustments.

Dry Van Spot Market Rates Decline Slightly

Spot Market Dry Van Trends

Dry van spot rates fell by 2 cents to $2.57 per mile after a strong increase the previous week. Even with the decline, rates remained significantly higher than last year.

All-in dry van rates were about 37% higher compared to the same week in 2025, while rates excluding fuel surcharges were up 27%.

Regionally, rates saw slight increases in the South Central and West Coast areas but declined in other regions.

Dry Van Load Volumes Drop

Dry van load postings decreased 7.4% week over week, with declines reported across all regions. Despite the weekly drop, volumes remained about 40% higher than the same period last year, reflecting continued strength in freight demand.

Refrigerated Spot Market Rates Pull Back

Spot Market Reefer Trends

Refrigerated spot rates dropped 8 cents to $3.03 per mile following several weeks of sharp increases. Before this decline, reefer rates had surged nearly 44 cents over four weeks.

Compared to last year, refrigerated rates remained strong. All-in rates were about 43% higher, while rates excluding fuel surcharges rose roughly 35%.

The Southeast was the only region to post a slight increase, while all other regions recorded declines.

Reefer Load Volumes See Sharp Decline

Refrigerated load postings fell 14%, marking the largest weekly drop in eight weeks. Most regions experienced double-digit declines, except for the Southeast.

Despite the weekly decrease, reefer volumes were still 3.4% higher than the same week in 2025.

Flatbed Extends Strong Streak

Spot Market Flatbed Rates Continue to Rise

Flatbed spot rates increased by 8 cents to $3.25 per mile, marking the 15th consecutive weekly gain. This is the highest level for flatbed rates since July 2022.

Year-over-year comparisons remain strong. All-in flatbed rates were up about 24%, while rates excluding fuel surcharges rose close to 15%.

Flatbed Load Volumes Hit Multi-Year High

Flatbed load postings rose 6.2% week over week, reaching their highest level since May 2022. Compared to last year, volumes were up more than 53%.

All regions reported increases, with the strongest gains in the Southeast and Midwest. Activity in the Northeast remained mostly unchanged.

Fuel Costs Continue to Influence the Market

Fuel prices remain a key factor shaping spot market performance. Diesel prices increased by approximately 24 cents nationwide during the most recent reporting period.

Unlike contract freight, carriers operating in the spot market typically do not receive fuel surcharges. However, calculated surcharge estimates help show how much of the rate increase is tied to rising fuel costs.

This year’s trend stands in contrast to 2022, when a surge in diesel prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to falling dry van and refrigerated rates. In that period, rates dropped even as fuel costs rose, creating pressure on carrier margins.

Spot Market Outlook Remains Uncertain

Although fuel cost recovery has been stronger in 2026, seasonal trends continue to affect the spot market. Dry van and refrigerated rates declined earlier in the year following weather-related spikes in January, and current levels still trail those earlier peaks when adjusted for fuel.

Flatbed continues to stand out as the strongest segment, supported by rising load volumes and steady rate increases.

Overall, the spot market remains active, with strong year-over-year comparisons and tight capacity conditions. However, recent rate declines in key segments suggest that short-term volatility may continue as fuel prices and seasonal demand shifts influence the market.