Spot Market Shows Signs of Firming After Eight-Week Slide

The Spot Market showed some improvement during the week ended August 28, as total rates edged higher and load activity recorded its strongest increase in seven weeks.

The total broker-posted spot rate in the Truckstop.com system reached $3.17 per mile. That was up just two-tenths of a cent from the previous week. While the change was small, it marked the first increase in eight weeks.

Dry van rates also increased for the first time in eight weeks. Refrigerated rates posted their largest increase over the same period. Flatbed rates continued to decline, but the latest drop was smaller than in recent weeks.

Truckstop.com noted that the timing of Labor Day could be affecting normal seasonal patterns. Labor Day falls on September 7 this year, the latest possible date for the holiday.

Spot Market Loads Jump 11.2%

Total spot load activity rose 11.2% to 160.9 during the week ended August 28. It was the largest weekly increase in seven weeks.

Load volume was also nearly 23% higher than during the same week in 2025.

At the same time, truck postings fell 2.2%. With more loads and fewer available trucks posted, the Market Demand Index rose to its highest level in six weeks. The index measures the ratio of posted loads to trucks.

The latest increase represents a notable change from earlier in August. During the week ended August 14, total load activity had fallen to 143.5. That marked five consecutive weekly declines and left the Market Demand Index at its lowest level since the third week of the year.

The latest results suggest that some of that weakness eased heading into the Labor Day period.

Total Spot Market Rate Ends Eight-Week Decline

The total broker-posted Spot Market rate reached $3.17 per mile after increasing by a fraction of a cent.

The increase was small enough to be considered nearly unchanged. However, it officially ended eight consecutive weeks of falling rates.

According to Truckstop.com, that was the longest stretch of consecutive weekly declines since a period running from late May through early July 2023.

The latest movement was also generally in line with seasonal expectations.

Compared with the same week last year, total rates were more than 36% higher. Rates adjusted to account for fuel costs were nearly 34% higher.

Diesel prices have increased sharply over the past couple of months. That has widened the difference between all-in rates and rates adjusted for estimated fuel costs.

Spot carriers generally do not receive a separate fuel surcharge. However, Truckstop.com’s calculation estimates the portion of a spot rate needed to cover fuel expenses.

Dry Van Spot Market Rates Rise After Eight Weeks

Dry van rates increased 1.7 cents to $2.62 per mile. The increase followed a decline of just over that amount during the previous week.

It was the first weekly increase in dry van rates in eight weeks.

Dry van rates were about 32% higher than during the same week in 2025. After adjusting for fuel, rates were more than 27% higher year over year.

Regional results were mostly positive. Rates declined modestly for loads originating in the South Central and Northeast regions but increased in all other regions.

Dry van load activity also strengthened.

Loads jumped 14.5%, marking a second consecutive weekly increase and the largest gain in seven weeks. Volume was more than 28% higher than during the comparable week last year.

Load postings increased in every region. However, the Northeast posted a much smaller gain than other parts of the country.

Refrigerated Rates Jump 15.6 Cents

Refrigerated freight recorded the largest rate increase among the three major equipment types.

Reefer rates jumped 15.6 cents to $3.47 per mile.

The increase was similar to the move recorded during the comparable week in 2025. However, Truckstop.com noted that it was much larger than what is typical for week 34.

Labor Day timing could be playing a role.

Because the holiday falls later this year, some freight activity that normally occurs during week 35 may have shifted into the latest reporting period. Even after considering that calendar difference, the increase was stronger than usual.

Refrigerated rates were slightly more than 32% higher year over year. Fuel-adjusted rates were about 29% higher.

Rates declined for loads originating in the South Central region but increased sharply everywhere else.

Refrigerated load volume rose 11.9% and was nearly 17% higher than during the same week last year. That was the strongest year-over-year comparison for reefer loads in 13 weeks.

Flatbed Rates Fall for an 11th Straight Week

Flatbed remained the weakest part of the latest rate report.

Rates declined another cent to $3.29 per mile, their lowest level since April. The decline marked an 11th consecutive week of falling flatbed rates.

However, the size of the decrease was the smallest in nine weeks.

Flatbed rates remained about 40% higher than during the same week in 2025. After adjusting for fuel, rates were more than 38% higher year over year.

Regional performance was mixed. Rates increased for loads originating in the Mountain Central, Midwest, and Northeast regions. They declined elsewhere.

Load activity offered a more positive signal.

Flatbed loads increased 9.7%, ending six consecutive weeks of declines. Volume was about 25% higher than during the same week last year.

Load postings increased across every region, although the West Coast posted a noticeably smaller gain than other regions.

Spot Market Enters September With Stronger Load Activity

The latest Spot Market report does not show a broad rate surge, but several indicators improved after weeks of weakness.

Total rates stopped falling after eight consecutive declines. Dry van rates increased for the first time in eight weeks, while refrigerated rates posted a strong 15.6-cent gain.

Load activity also improved across dry van, refrigerated, and flatbed freight. Overall volume rose by double digits, while the Market Demand Index reached a six-week high.

Flatbed rates remain a weak point after 11 consecutive weekly declines. However, flatbed load activity increased for the first time in seven weeks.

Labor Day timing could make the latest results harder to compare with normal seasonal patterns. The next several weekly reports should provide a clearer picture of whether the late-August improvement continues after the holiday.