DAT points to mixed metrics for spot truckload activity, for week of June 22-28

Data recently issued on the DAT One Network provided to LM by DAT Freight & Analytics showed sequential gains and annual declines in various truckload spot market metrics, for the week of June 22-28.

“There were 2.3 million loads on the DAT One network during the week of June 22-28, the last full shipping week before the July 4 holiday,” said DAT. “That’s 14% higher than the previous week, 2% less year over year, and nearly identical to Week 26 in 2023. The number of truck posts decreased by 11% to 229,752, 45% lower than the same week in 2024.”

The weekly breakdown for van loads, van equipment, load-to-truck ration and linehaul rates for Dry Vans, Reefers (refrigerated), and flatbeds provided by DAT is below:

Dry Vans:

• Van loads: 1.08 million up 16% week-over-week;
• Van equipment: 158,755, down 13%;
• Linehaul rate: $1.65 net fuel, down $0.02; and
• Loads per truck, at 6.8, up from 5.1, with the 4-week average, at 5.6, trending up

Reefers:

• Reefer loads: 565,831, up 35% week-over-week;
• Reefer equipment: 42,193, down 9%;
• Linehaul rate: $1.95 net fuel, flat; and
• Loads per truck, at 6.8, up from 5.1, with the 4-week average, at 5.6, trending up

Flatbeds:

• Flatbed loads: 739,822, down 1% week over week;
• Flatbed equipment: 29,804, down 8%;
• Linehaul rate: $2.12 net fuel, down 1 cent; and
• Loads per truck, at 25.7, up from 24.0, with the 4-week average, at 24.7, trending up

Broker-to-carrier 7-day average spot rates:

• Dry van: $2.02 per mile, down 1 cent week-over-week
• Refrigerated: $2.32 per mile, flat; and
• Flatbed: $2.48 per mile, down 2 cents

DAT iQ industry analyst Dean Croke said that the truckload freight market remains stagnant as shippers await clarity on tariffs. 

“The 90-day pause on the ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, which President Trump imposed on April 2, is scheduled to end on July 9. Last week, he suggested he could extend or shorten the deadline as his goal of making ‘90 deals in 90 days’ remains in doubt,” stated Croke. “Trade talks with Canada, the country’s largest trading partner, added to the uncertainty. Since April 2, the number of loads moved from DAT’s Toronto market to the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley regions has decreased by 27% year over year. While trade talks are expected to resume this week, retaliatory tariffs impacting agriculture, steel, and manufacturing are scheduled to take effect—sectors that heavily rely on cross-border trade.”