Dry Vans

October spot truckload volumes and rates were largely mixed again, according to the new edition of the DAT Truckload Volume Index, which was recently released by DAT Freight and Analytics.

Following August spot truckload volume and rate declines, September readings were more mixed, while conditions largely remained the same, according to the new edition of the DAT Truckload Volume Index, which was released today by DAT Freight and Analytics.

DAT said that the number of available loads on the spot market headed up over the last week of August, due to the pairing of a national brake-inspection campaign and the lead-up to Labor Day weekend tightening capacity. It also noted that August freight volumes were softer than usual, especially for van loads, coupled with the Van TVI turning in its lowest reading for the month of August since 2021.

DAT observed that July truckload freight volumes were steady, due to summer seasonality being paced by produce and retail goods moving on the road prior to the July 4 holiday, adding that volumes saw a gradual decline over the balance of July.

Flatbed activity spikes amid seasonal trends, while tariffs and supply chain anxiety cloud outlook.

DAT observed that spot rates declined even though there was an uptick in demand for trucks.

Spot market trucking activity demand and rates saw gains over the month of December, in advance of the holidays, according to the new edition of the DAT Truckload Volume Index, which issued today by DAT Freight and Analytics.

The van TVI, at 246, was up 18% compared to October and down 1% annually, while the refrigerated TVI, at 242, was down 23% compared to October and up 7% annually, and the flatbed TVI, at 242, was down 23% compared to October and down 5% annually.

For the week of December 1-6, DAT reported that 2.18 million loads were available, representing a 114% sequential increase, as well as posting the highest weekly tally since the week before the July 4 holiday.

DAT reported that 1.02 million loads were available, representing a 46% sequential decline and a 12% annual increase. The firm added that there was a total of 223,837 available trucks posted on the DAT One network, falling 30% sequentially and down 25% compared to Thanksgiving week in 2023.  

Following the beginning of what it called the start of a new truckload cycle arriving in September, in the form of increasing spot truckload volumes and rates, the new edition of the DAT Truckload Volume Index, which was recently issued by DAT Freight and Analytics, pointed to further inroads being made in October.

DAT reported that 1.8 million loads were available, representing a nearly 8% sequential decline and a 15% annual increase. The firm added that there was a total of 307,925 available trucks posted on the DAT One network, falling 6% and marking the lowest tally going back to the week of Labor Day.