Spot Market Results: Van Rates Down but Stay Strong

Spot Market Week 6 Shows Mixed Rate Movement

Van, Reefer, and Flatbed Rates Remain Elevated Despite Weekly Shifts

The spot market showed mixed movement during the week ending February 13 (Week 6). Dry van and reefer rates declined from recent highs. However, both remain near the strongest year-over-year levels seen in four years. Flatbed rates were not as strong as those of the same week in 2025. Still, they posted their best year-over-year comparison since May 2022 and have seen an increase in 12 of the past 13 weeks. While van rates typically dip this time of year, current levels remain elevated compared to historical trends.

Spot Market Load Activity Slips Slightly

Total spot market load activity declined 3.3% after rising just over 2% the previous week. A small gain in flatbed volume helped offset larger declines in dry van and refrigerated freight. Even with the weekly drop, total load postings were nearly 48% higher than the same week in 2025.

Flatbed and dry van saw the largest year-over-year gains. Truck postings increased 4.4%. As a result, the Market Demand Index — which measures the ratio of loads to trucks — fell to its lowest level in three weeks. Even so, demand remains strong compared to levels seen since spring 2022.

Overall broker-posted rates barely changed, increasing by three-tenths of a cent. Rising flatbed rates helped balance falling van and reefer rates. Total rates were nearly 13% higher than the same week last year.

Dry Van Spot Market Rates Pull Back

Dry van spot market rates fell more than 6 cents after reaching their highest level since late 2022 the previous week. Despite the drop, rates were still more than 22% higher than the same week in 2025. That marks one of the strongest year-over-year comparisons since February 2022.

Rates declined in five of six major regions. The South Central region was the only area to post a small gain of about 2 cents. Dry van load postings fell 12.9%. That follows a 39% surge during the weather-driven spike in Week 4. Even after the drop, dry van volume remains about 45% higher than the same week last year.

Load volume declined in every region. Van rates are also proving “sticky” on the way down. After the 20-cent weather spike in Week 4, rates rose again in Week 5. They remain nearly 13 cents higher than pre-spike levels.

Refrigerated Spot Market Rates Fall Sharply

Refrigerated spot market rates fell 17 cents after dropping nearly 6 cents the previous week. Still, reefer rates remain nearly 33% higher than the same week in 2025. That comparison is only slightly weaker than last week’s 36% increase. Rates declined in all regions.

Refrigerated load volume dropped 24.7% after falling 11% the week before. Even with the weekly decline, volume is still about 13% higher than last year. Most regions saw drops of more than 20%. The West Coast posted a slightly smaller decline. Over the past two weeks, refrigerated rates have fallen about 23 cents. Even so, they remain roughly 22 cents above Week 3 levels.

Flatbed Spot Market Continues Upward Trend

Flatbed remains the strongest part of the spot market right now. Rates increased just over 4 cents, marking the largest weekly gain of the year so far. Current levels are the highest since early June. Flatbed rates were nearly 10% higher than the same week in 2025. That marks the strongest year-over-year comparison since May 2022.

Rates increased in all regions. Flatbed load postings rose 4.7% to their highest level since early April 2025. Volume is more than 60% higher than the same week last year. The Midwest led regional growth.

What the Spot Market Means for Truck Drivers

The spot market remains strong overall, even as van and reefer rates pull back from weather-driven highs.

Key takeaways for drivers:

• Van and reefer rates fell but remain historically strong.
• Flatbed rates continue to climb.
• Load postings remain well above last year’s levels.
• Demand is easing slightly, but is still elevated.

Seasonal patterns suggest van rates often soften this time of year. However, current rate levels suggest market strength remains intact heading into late winter.

If year-over-year comparisons hold through March, this could mark the strongest early-year performance since 2022.