Latest Spot Market Result: Loads Up While Van Rates Down

Spot Market Rates Stay Strong Despite Van Pullback

The trucking Spot Market remained strong during the week ending February 20, 2026 (week 7), even as dry van and refrigerated rates continued to ease from recent weather-driven spikes.

Broker-posted rates for dry van and refrigerated equipment declined following winter storm disruptions earlier in the month. However, both segments remained well above levels seen in recent years. At the same time, flatbed rates continued to rise, reaching their highest level since early May and showing the strongest year-over-year comparison since spring 2022.

Load Activity Moves Higher

Overall, Spot Market load activity increased 4.0% after falling more than 3% the previous week. Total load postings reached their highest level since July 2022.

Compared with the same week in 2025, load volume was about 38% higher. Growth was driven largely by flatbed demand, with additional support from dry van shipments.

Truck postings declined 1.5%, which pushed the Market Demand Index (the ratio of loads to trucks) to its second-highest level since March 2022.

Meanwhile, the overall broker-posted rate rose 2.4 cents to the highest level since early 2023. Total rates were nearly 13% higher year over year.

Dry Van Spot Market Trends

Dry van Spot Market rates fell 2.6 cents after a larger drop the prior week. Despite the decline, rates remained nearly 19% higher than during the same week in 2025 and about 15 cents above pre-weather event levels from week 3.

Regionally, rates increased on the West Coast and in the Southeast but declined in other areas.

Dry van load volume decreased 2.9%. However, shipments were still about 30% higher than last year’s levels. Volume rose in the South and West Coast while falling elsewhere.

Refrigerated Spot Market Conditions

Refrigerated Spot Market rates declined nearly 12 cents after a 17-cent drop the week before. Even with the decline, rates remained about 10 cents above levels seen before the week 4 weather event.

Year-over-year, refrigerated rates were roughly 25% higher than in 2025, only slightly below the prior week’s stronger comparison.

Refrigerated load volume decreased 8.4% and was about 9% below last year’s levels — the first negative comparison in four weeks. Shipments fell across most regions, with the West Coast as the only area showing growth.

Flatbed Spot Market Shows Continued Strength

Flatbed Spot Market rates rose by nearly 4 cents, marking the 13th increase in 14 weeks. Rates reached their highest point since early May and were close to 11% higher year over year.

Regionally, flatbed rates declined slightly on the West Coast and in the Northeast but increased across other areas.

Flatbed load volume grew 8.3% to its highest level since June 2022. Compared with 2025, postings were about 53% higher. Load volume increased in all regions, although growth in the Northeast was limited.

Spot Market Outlook

Seasonal patterns suggest that post-holiday normalization for van rates would typically continue over the coming weeks. However, approaching seasonal demand and ongoing winter weather disruptions could keep spot market rates elevated.

With flatbed demand strengthening and overall load activity rising, the market continues to show signs of firm capacity and sustained freight demand early in 2026.