Winter Weather Fully Delivered The Expected Boost To The Spot Market

Spot Market Surges as Winter Storm Sends Rates Soaring

The Spot Market saw a sharp surge last week as severe winter weather disrupted freight networks across much of the country. Spot market activity jumped across all major equipment types, while truck capacity tightened and rates climbed fast. According to data from Truckstop.com, total broker-posted rates rose by the largest weekly margin since late 2023.

Refrigerated and dry van freight led the move higher. In fact, reefer rates posted a record weekly increase, while van rates logged one of the biggest jumps ever recorded. At the same time, load volumes surged, and truck postings declined, creating one of the tightest supply-demand balances in years.

Load Activity Jumps as Capacity Tightens

First, total load postings climbed 17.4% week over week after two straight weekly declines. Compared with the same week last year, volumes were nearly 56% higher. In addition, freight demand ran about 3% above the five-year average.

However, truck postings moved in the opposite direction. Capacity fell 8.5% as weather disruptions kept some drivers off the road.

As a result, the Market Demand Index — which measures loads versus trucks — spiked to its highest level since March 2022. That imbalance pushed the Spot Market firmly in carriers’ favor.

Spot Market Rates Rise to Highest Level of the Year

With demand rising and capacity falling, rates responded quickly.

The total broker-posted rate increased just over 9 cents for the week. That pushed overall pricing to the highest level of the year and within a few cents of late-2025 highs. Compared to last year, total rates were up 11%, marking the strongest annual gain since early 2022.

While winter storms often cause short-term volatility, this move stood out because it happened during a week when rates usually fall.

Historically, week 4 tends to be weak. Between 2015 and 2025, dry van rates typically dropped about 4.8 cents, and refrigerated rates fell around 8.6 cents. This year, the opposite happened.

Dry Van Spot Market Rates Post Rare 20-Cent Jump

Dry van freight showed one of the biggest surprises in the Spot Market.

Van spot rates jumped 20 cents in a single week. That marks the third-largest weekly gain on record. The increase came after rates had fallen nearly 22 cents since late 2025, so the rebound was sharp.

Year over year, dry van rates were 17.5% higher — the strongest comparison since February 2022.

Volume growth also stood out. Dry van loads rose 39.3% week over week. That kind of increase is unusual outside of holiday periods. Compared to last year, van loads were more than 44% higher.

Regionally, the Midwest and Northeast saw the biggest gains. Meanwhile, the West Coast showed little change.

Refrigerated Rates Set Record

Refrigerated freight posted the largest move of all.

Reefer spot rates spiked 45 cents in one week. That is the biggest weekly increase on record, going back at least to 2008. It also broke the previous record set in 2017.

Compared to last year, refrigerated rates were nearly 31% higher.

Load activity surged as well. Reefer loads jumped 51.1% week over week. That level of growth is extremely rare without a major holiday. Volumes were also just over 51% higher than last year.

Nearly every region saw double-digit gains. The Midwest led the way, with increases topping 70%, while the West Coast posted more modest growth.

Much of the spike likely came from extreme cold. Shippers often use refrigerated trailers to protect freight that might freeze in standard dry vans. That added extra demand for insulated equipment.

Flatbed Spot Market Stays Strong

Flatbed freight did not jump as sharply, but the trend remained positive. Spot rates increased for the 10th time in the past 11 weeks. Rates were close to 7% higher than last year.

Load postings rose 4.7% week over week. Compared to last year, flatbed volumes were roughly 69% higher.

Most of the growth came from the Midwest and Northeast. Meanwhile, the West Coast and South Central regions saw declines.

Even without a dramatic spike, flatbed pricing continues to show steady strength in the Spot Market.

Weather Impact Drives the Spot Market Rally

The winter storm played a clear role in last week’s rally.

Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures slowed trucks and disrupted schedules. At the same time, demand stayed firm. That combination reduced available capacity and pushed brokers to pay higher rates.

In addition, extreme cold likely boosted refrigerated demand as shippers sought protection for temperature-sensitive freight.

However, these weather-related spikes often fade once conditions improve. Because of that, rates for dry van and flatbed may not repeat the same gains in the coming weeks.

Spot Market Outlook

For now, refrigerated pricing could remain elevated if cold weather continues. Still, analysts expect some normalization as trucks return to service and networks stabilize.

Even so, last week’s numbers show how quickly the Spot Market can shift when capacity tightens.

When loads rise, and trucks fall, rates move fast. And this winter, the market delivered one of the strongest weekly increases seen in years.