Spot Market Rates Reach New High as Loads Rebound

Spot Market Rates Reach Another Record High Despite Van Pullback

The spot market continued to show strength during the week ending June 5, even as dry van and refrigerated van rates posted modest declines from the previous week. According to the latest data, spot rates reached another all-time high, driven largely by continued gains in the flatbed segment.

While seasonal patterns typically bring softer van rates between Memorial Day and late June, overall spot market conditions remained significantly stronger than a year ago. Rates across all major equipment types are posting year-over-year increases of nearly 50% or more.

Spot Market Load Volume Rebounds After Holiday Week

Total spot market load activity increased 9.4% week over week to 228.4 after falling roughly 15% during the Memorial Day holiday week.

Compared to the same week in 2025, total load volume was approximately 57% higher. Flatbed freight continued to account for much of that growth, although all equipment categories recorded year-over-year increases.

Truck postings rose 5.1% during the week, helping the Market Demand Index (MDI) recover to nearly the same level seen before the holiday slowdown.

Spot Market Rates Set Another All-Time High

The total broker-posted spot market rate increased by 2.4 cents per mile to $3.67, marking the 20th consecutive weekly increase and another all-time high.

Although the increase was the smallest weekly gain since February, rates continued to receive support from strong flatbed demand, elevated diesel costs, and lingering impacts from weather-related disruptions earlier this year.

Total broker-posted rates were nearly 50% higher than during the same week last year. Rates excluding a calculated fuel surcharge were approximately 46% higher year over year.

Dry Van Rates Decline for First Time in Six Weeks

Dry van spot market rates slipped 3.7 cents per mile to $3.03, ending a six-week streak of increases.

Even with the weekly decline, dry van rates remained exceptionally strong. Rates were 55% higher than during the same week in 2025, while rates excluding fuel surcharges were nearly 52% higher.

According to FTR, dry van rates came within 3 cents of the all-time record during the previous week. Current market conditions suggest a new record could be reached by early July.

Dry van load volume increased 13.8% from the holiday week. However, it remained slightly below pre-holiday levels. Compared to last year, dry van loads were up more than 53%.

Regionally, rates increased on loads originating in the West Coast, Mountain Central, and South Central regions, while rates declined in the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast.

Refrigerated Rates Continue to Ease

Refrigerated spot market rates fell 11 cents per mile to $3.44 after dropping slightly more than 10 cents during the previous week.

Despite the back-to-back declines, refrigerated rates remained about 50% higher than they were one year ago. Rates excluding fuel surcharges increased more than 46% year over year.

The largest regional rate declines occurred in the Southeast and Midwest, while changes in other parts of the country were relatively modest.

Refrigerated load volume increased 8.8% from the holiday week and was approximately 16% higher than the same week in 2025.

Flatbed Rates Extend Record-Breaking Run

Flatbed spot rates increased by slightly more than 5 cents per mile to $3.82, setting another all-time high. While it was the smallest weekly increase in six weeks, it marked the 28th increase in the last 29 weeks.

Compared to the same week last year, flatbed rates were more than 49% higher. Rates excluding fuel surcharges increased by about 46%.

Flatbed load volume rose 7.4% week over week and was 71% higher than during the same week in 2025.

Load postings increased across all regions, while rates rose in most parts of the country. The only regional declines were reported in the Mountain Central and Northeast regions.

Spot Market Remains Historically Strong

Although dry van and refrigerated rates pulled back slightly during the week, the broader spot market remained exceptionally strong.

Total rates reached another record high, load volumes recovered following the Memorial Day holiday, and flatbed freight continued its months-long run of gains. With dry van rates still near record territory and overall freight demand remaining elevated, spot market conditions continue to run well above levels seen a year ago.