BEAVERTON, Ore. — November truckload volumes fell to their lowest level of 2025, with double-digit declines across van, refrigerated and flatbed segments despite holiday shipping activity, said DAT Freight & Analytics, which operates the DAT One freight marketplace and DAT iQ data analytics service.
Truckload Volume Index
The DAT Truckload Volume Index (TVI), a key freight market indicator measuring demand for truckload services, reflected widespread weakness:
- Van TVI: 197, down 18% month over month and 12% year over year.
- Refrigerated TVI: 172, down 11% month over month and 6% year over year.
- Flatbed TVI: 243, down 22% month over month and 3% year over year.
“With Thanksgiving and Black Friday falling nearly as late as possible on the calendar, there was less urgency to move freight until the final week of the month,” said Ken Adamo, DAT chief of analytics. “With the short holiday week, winter weather, and other disruptions, it was a busy end to an otherwise soft November, but not enough to offset the earlier weakness.”
Spot Rates
Spot rate changes were mixed in November:
- Spot van: $2.09 per mile, up 2 cents from October.
- Spot reefer: $2.54 per mile, up 6 cents.
- Spot flatbed: $2.47 per mile, down 4 cents.
Spot rates were also higher year over year. In November 2024, van rates averaged $2.03 per mile, reefer rates $2.45, and flatbed rates $2.37. Higher fuel prices were a factor.
Contract Rates
Contract rates increased compared to October:
- Contract van: $2.46 per mile, up 4 cents month over month.
- Contract reefer: $2.81 per mile, up 3 cents.
- Contract flatbed: $3.07 per mile, up 1 cent.
Average contract rates were higher than spot rates in November, maintaining the pricing dynamic that has persisted across the freight market since early 2022.
“The market remains fundamentally inverted,” Adamo said. “Oversupply persists, shippers are cautious amid economic uncertainty, and many carriers are still operating unprofitably. December should bring some seasonal lift, but we will need to see sustained strength after the holidays to gain confidence that the market is poised to flip.”
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
