Latest Spot Market Data: Little Change in Week 42

Spot Market Shows Stability but Softer Freight Flow

The Spot Market showed little movement during the week ending October 24, 2025 (Week 42). Broker-posted rates in FTR were mixed, but none of the major equipment types—dry van, reefer, or flatbed—saw much change. After several weeks of mild activity, rates continued to follow seasonal freight patterns.

Spot Market Rates Stay Mostly Flat

Overall, Spot Market rates barely changed, slipping just two-tenths of a cent from the prior week. That came after a tiny gain the week before. Total rates were 0.3 % higher than the same week in 2024, marking the weakest year-over-year comparison in 12 weeks. Even so, rates remain more than 7 % below the five-year average for Week 42.

Load activity fell 6.9 %, the biggest decline in seven weeks. It was also the first time in 16 weeks that volumes were lower than a year earlier. Truck postings increased 1.2 %, pushing the Market Demand Index (MDI) to its lowest level in nine weeks.

Dry Van Spot Market Trends

Dry van rates dropped 0.7 cents after gaining 2 cents in Week 41. Rates were 3 % lower than the same 2024 week—the first negative comparison in 11 weeks—and about 14 % below the five-year average.

Dry van load volume dipped 0.4 %, with loads now more than 3 % under last year’s level and 34 % below the five-year average. Analysts say these trends show steady demand but persistent pricing pressure heading into late October.

Reefer Rates Edge Higher Again

Reefer spot rates increased half a cent during Week 42, extending a four-week streak of small gains. However, each week’s increase has grown smaller, suggesting the rally is losing momentum.

Reefer rates were just over 1 % higher than 2024 but remain nearly 7 % below the five-year average. Reefer load activity slipped 1.4 %, falling 15 % below last year and 36 % under the five-year benchmark. Seasonal produce freight and holiday demand have yet to create meaningful upward pressure on rates.

Flatbed Market Weakens Further

Flatbed spot rates gained less than half a cent, continuing a slow upward trend but offering little relief to carriers. Rates were 1.2 % higher than in 2024, yet still about 6 % under the five-year average for this time of year.

Flatbed loads fell 11.7 %, the largest weekly drop in 16 weeks. Load volume remains 3.6 % higher than last year, though that is also the weakest year-over-year gain since mid-summer. The downturn in construction and manufacturing freight has limited flatbed demand growth.

What the Spot Market Data Means

The latest Spot Market results show a trucking industry still stuck in a holding pattern. Rates for dry van, reefer, and flatbed freight continue to follow normal seasonal trends but without major improvement. Load volumes have softened while available capacity grows.

Analysts note that, historically, Week 43 often brings small rate drops for dry van and reefer loads but slight flatbed increases as seasonal shipments shift. Carriers should expect continued rate stability rather than sharp swings as the fourth quarter continues.