Spot Market Rates Hold Steady as Load Activity Declines

The spot market remained largely unchanged during the week ending October 16, 2026, as broker-posted rates showed little movement across the three major equipment types. According to the latest Truckstop.com market update, dry van and refrigerated rates declined slightly, while flatbed rates posted a minimal increase.

Total load activity also decreased for the second consecutive week. However, the decline was much smaller than the previous week’s drop. Despite the recent slowdown in load postings, spot rates remained substantially higher than during the same period in 2025.

Spot Market Rates Show Little Movement

The total market broker-posted rate averaged $3.26 per mile, down approximately 0.3 cents from the previous week. This followed a decline of just 0.1 cents during the week ending October 9. Although weekly changes were minimal, total spot rates were nearly 42% higher than during the same week last year.

Rates excluding estimated fuel costs were unchanged from the previous week and nearly 36% higher year over year. Truckstop.com uses this calculation to estimate the portion of freight rates needed to recover fuel expenses. Carriers operating in the spot market typically do not receive separate fuel surcharges. The latest results suggest that spot pricing has remained relatively stable through the first half of October.

Spot Market Load Activity Declines Again

Total broker-posted load activity fell 1.2% from the previous week, following a decline of nearly 12% during the week ending October 9. The latest weekly load index stood at 144.1. Despite the decrease, load activity remained just under 2% higher than during the same week in 2025.

Other market indicators showed:

• Truck postings: Decreased 1.8% week over week.
• Market Demand Index: Increased marginally as truck postings fell faster than load activity.
• Year-over-year load volume: Increased by just under 2%.
• Total market rate: Averaged $3.26 per mile.

The Market Demand Index measures the ratio of posted loads to available trucks. A higher reading generally indicates a tighter balance between freight demand and available capacity. However, the latest increase was small.

Dry Van Spot Rates Slip as Load Volume Increases

Dry van spot rates averaged $2.85 per mile, declining by slightly less than 1 cent from the previous week. This followed an increase of less than half a cent during the prior reporting period. Despite the weekly decline, dry van rates were nearly 47% higher than during the same week last year.

Regional pricing showed notable differences. Rates increased sharply for loads originating on the West Coast but declined sharply in the Southeast. Most other regions recorded modest decreases, while the Mountain Central region was an exception to the broader downward trend.

Dry van load activity increased 1.1% after falling nearly 15% during the previous week. Year-over-year volume was particularly strong, rising 24% compared with the same week in 2025. Load postings increased across most regions. However, activity was largely unchanged in the Midwest and declined in the Southeast and South Central regions.

Refrigerated Spot Rates Decline Despite More Loads

Refrigerated spot rates averaged $3.54 per mile, down 1.5 cents from the previous week. The decline followed a 1.2-cent increase during the preceding week. Refrigerated rates remained approximately 44% higher than during the same period in 2025.

Regional results were mixed. Rates declined sharply in the Southeast and fell modestly on the West Coast. Other regions recorded slight increases. Meanwhile, refrigerated load activity rose 3.0% after declining approximately 12% during the previous week.

Despite the weekly improvement, refrigerated load volume remained 1.4% below the same week last year. Load postings increased strongly in the Mountain Central region and on the West Coast. The South Central region also recorded modest growth, while activity declined in the Southeast and Midwest. Northeast load volume remained essentially unchanged.

Flatbed Spot Rates Edge Higher

Flatbed spot rates averaged $3.34 per mile, increasing by just 0.2 cents from the previous week. The small gain followed a decline of 0.7 cents during the preceding week. Flatbed rates remained 43% higher than during the same week in 2025.

Regional pricing varied. Rates were nearly unchanged for loads originating in the Midwest. They declined in the Southeast and West Coast but increased in other regions. Flatbed load activity decreased 3.8% after falling nearly 11% during the previous week.

Year-over-year load volume was approximately 8% lower. The Mountain Central region recorded an increase in load postings, while the West Coast experienced a slight gain. Other regions reported declining flatbed load activity.

What to Expect From the Spot Market Next Week

Truckstop.com’s historical seasonal patterns suggest that rate movements could remain mixed during the week ending October 23. During this period, dry van and flatbed rates typically decline, while refrigerated rates generally increase. However, seasonal trends do not guarantee that rates will follow the same direction this year.

The latest results show that spot market rates have remained nearly unchanged for two consecutive weeks. Although overall load activity has declined, year-over-year pricing remains substantially stronger across all three major equipment types. For carriers and independent owner-operators, the coming weeks will help show whether the market maintains its recent stability or begins following more typical seasonal pricing patterns.