Spot Market Results for Week 12: All Equipment Types See Improved Rates

Spot Market Sees Rate Increases Across All Equipment Types

Spot Rates Rise for First Time in Weeks

The spot market experienced a notable shift during the week ending March 28, 2025. FTR reports broker-posted rates increased for dry van, refrigerated, and flatbed equipment. This marked the first weekly increase in five weeks for both dry van and refrigerated segments. Flatbed rates continued their upward trend for the seventh straight week, reaching their highest level since June 2023.

Spot Market Load Activity Surges to New Highs

Total load postings across the spot market jumped 8.7% from the previous week, climbing to the highest point seen since July 2022. Much of this growth was powered by flatbed load volumes, which hit their strongest level since June 2022. Despite the increase, total load activity remains 12% below the five-year average for the same week.

The Market Demand Index (MDI)—which measures the ratio of load postings to truck postings—also rose, hitting its highest level since May 2022. This points to a stronger demand environment across the spot market.

Dry Van Spot Market Rates Make Strongest Jump of the Year

Dry van rates climbed by 3.5 cents per mile, making it the largest week-over-week gain seen in 2025. Though the rates were still just under 1% lower than the same week last year, they remain more than 15% below the five-year average.

Dry van load postings also rose by 7.0% during the week, but volumes were still 2% below 2024 levels and nearly 35% lower than the five-year average.

Refrigerated Spot Rates See Modest Recovery

Reefer equipment saw a 2-cent increase in spot rates, marking just the third gain so far this year. However, current rates are still more than 4% below the same time in 2024 and nearly 17% off the five-year average.

Refrigerated load postings increased by 4.3%, although volumes stayed 8% below last year’s numbers and around 40% under the five-year average.

Flatbed Spot Market Drives Momentum

Flatbed rates led the charge with a 5.6-cent increase—the second largest weekly jump since October. Rates were nearly 5% higher than the same week in 2024, representing the strongest year-over-year comparison for flatbed since July 2022. Despite this, flatbed rates remain about 3% below the five-year average.

Flatbed load postings rose by 9.7% and were more than 33% higher than the same week last year. They also came within 1% of the five-year average, showing the segment is coming closer to pre-pandemic norms.

What’s Driving the Spot Market Surge?

Some of the upward pressure in the spot market—especially in the flatbed segment—may be tied to concerns over tariffs. Importers may be pulling forward shipments of metals and equipment in anticipation of cost increases, which has likely boosted demand.

Outlook for Spot Rates Remain Cautiously Optimistic

The broad-based increase in rates across all equipment types suggests growing momentum within the spot market. While the gains are encouraging, rates still lag behind long-term averages. That indicates the market hasn’t fully recovered to its historical performance levels.

With seasonal shifts, economic developments, and tariff-related demand changes on the horizon, the spot market remains one to watch closely in the weeks ahead.