Latest Spot Market Results: Loads Drop, Rates Mixed

Spot Market Loads Fall as Van Rates Decline Again

The spot market experienced another week of softer conditions as dry van and refrigerated rates continued their seasonal decline during the week ending June 12, according to data from Truckstop and FTR.

While van segments lost ground, flatbed rates moved higher for a 24th consecutive week. Total load activity also fell after posting gains the previous week, reflecting the typical slowdown that often occurs between Memorial Day and early July.

Spot Market Load Volume Drops

Total spot market load activity fell 11.5% week over week after increasing 9.4% during the prior week.

Despite the weekly decline, overall load volume remained approximately 45% higher than the same week in 2025. Strong dry van and flatbed demand helped support year-over-year gains, while refrigerated freight also posted modest growth compared to last year.

Truck postings increased slightly by 0.8%, causing the Market Demand Index, which measures the ratio of loads to available trucks, to fall to its lowest level in five weeks.

Total Spot Market Rates Reach Another Record

The average broker-posted spot rate across all equipment types increased by a fraction of a cent to $3.68 per mile, extending a streak of weekly increases to 21 consecutive weeks.

Although the increase was minimal, it pushed the overall market rate to another record high.

All-in spot rates were more than 51% higher than the same week last year. Rates excluding estimated fuel costs were roughly 50% higher year over year.

Analysts noted that part of the recent strength in spot rates may have been tied to higher diesel prices earlier this spring. However, diesel prices have fallen by 43 cents per gallon over the past five weeks, reducing some of the upward pressure on freight rates.

Dry Van Rates Post Largest Weekly Drop Since January

Dry van spot rates fell 8.1 cents to $2.95 per mile after declining less than 4 cents the week before.

The decrease was the largest weekly drop for dry van rates since early January. Even with the decline, rates remained nearly 53% higher than during the same week in 2025.

Rate decreases were recorded across all regions, with the largest declines occurring in the Midwest, Northeast and Mountain Central regions.

Dry van load volume dropped 12.9% from the previous week. However, volume remained close to 35% higher than the same period last year.

Load postings declined in every region, although decreases were smaller on the West Coast and in the Northeast.

Refrigerated Rates Continue to Ease

Refrigerated spot rates declined by 3 cents to $3.41 per mile after falling 11 cents during the previous week.

Despite the weekly decrease, refrigerated rates remained nearly 46% higher than the same week one year ago.

A significant increase in rates for loads originating in the Southeast helped offset declines recorded in most other regions.

Refrigerated load volume decreased 6.4% week over week but remained about 8% higher than the same week in 2025.

Load postings increased in the Northeast while declining across all other regions.

Flatbed Rates Extend Winning Streak

Flatbed rates continued their upward trend, increasing for the 24th consecutive week.

Although the latest increase was the smallest recorded in the past 20 weeks, flatbed freight remained the strongest-performing segment of the spot market.

Flatbed demand continues to benefit from seasonal construction activity and freight tied to industrial and infrastructure projects.

The segment has consistently outperformed both dry van and refrigerated freight throughout much of 2026, helping support overall spot market rate growth despite recent weakness in van sectors.

Outlook

Market conditions remain consistent with seasonal patterns typically seen during June. Freight demand softened during the week while dry van and refrigerated rates moved lower.

Flatbed freight continues to provide support for the broader market, but declining diesel prices and seasonal shipping trends may continue to limit upward movement in van rates as the industry moves toward the July holiday period.