Spot Market Rates

Load posts on DAT One rose 2% to 2.26 million last week, while truck posts fell for the second consecutive week, down 5% to 232,703.

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.

The van TVI, at 243, was down 2% compared to May and up 4% annually, and the refrigerated (reefer) TVI, at 191, was down 5% compared to May and up 10% annually.

The firm said that van and reefer rates typically head up in May, driven by demand to move produce and retail goods in advance of Memorial Day increases, coupled with drivers planning downtime around the three-day Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance Roadcheck enforcement, which takes place in mid-May.

DAT iQ industry analyst Dean Croke said that dry van load-post volumes decreased by over 11% last week, following the typical pattern after International Roadcheck week.

The firm said that spot load posts for the week were up 10.8% sequentially, coming in at 2.25 million, which helped to counter declines seen in previous weeks, as well as signaling high seasonality with retail goods and produce on the move.

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

Driven by a combination of seasonal slowing, winter weather conditions, and ongoing uncertainty regarding tariffs and economic conditions, spot truckload volumes trended down in February, according to the new edition of the DAT Truckload Index, which was issued this week by DAT Freight and Analytics.

While a prolonged soft freight market remains intact, contractual rates are moving higher and momentum is building.

DAT cited inventory replenishment efforts by shippers following the holidays—coupled with pulling forward imports ahead of anticipated tariff actions and also trying to secure flexible, short-term spot market capacity to better deal with harsh winter weather—as the main drivers for spot truckload freight volume gains.

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.