BEAVERTON, Ore. — Broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop.com system for flatbed equipment rose for the 15th time in 16 weeks during the week ended March 6 to the highest level since October 2022.
“Adjusting rates for the fuel price difference between last week and fall 2022 indicates that flatbed spot rates are even more attractive today, though that differential is narrowing rapidly with the ongoing surge in fuel prices,” FTR said. “Dry van and refrigerated spot rates declined but remain very strong versus recent years.”
Total Spot Loads
Total load activity increased 1.7% to the highest level since July 2022 due to flatbed’s continued strength. Load postings were close to 39% higher than during the same 2025 week.
Truck postings fell 4.8%, and the Market Demand Index – the ratio of loads to trucks – rose further to the highest level since March 2022.
Total Spot Rates
The total market broker-posted rate increased 4.3 cents, again reaching the highest level since the final week of 2022. Total rates were close to 15% higher than in the same 2025 week – once again the strongest prior-year comparison since March 2022.
Total spot rates have been even more favorable versus 2022 when accounting for higher fuel costs then. Subtracting a calculated fuel surcharge – an adjustment that considers differences in the most important operating cost for very small carriers operating in the spot market – shows spot rates at the highest level since early July 2022. Given escalating fuel prices in the wake of military action against Iran, however, that difference is shrinking and could even evaporate very soon.
Dry Van Rates
Dry van spot rates decreased 3.6 cents and were 19% higher than during the same week last year. Although dry van spot rates typically rise week over week during the same week of the year, they are still greatly outperforming seasonal expectations throughout the first nine weeks. For example, in 2025, dry van spot rates in week 9 were about 18 cents lower than they were in week 3, not about 12 cents higher as is the case this year.
Dry van loads declined 4.6%, but volume was stronger versus the previous year than in week 8. Load postings were 31.5% higher than in the same 2025 week. The only region experiencing an increase in volume week over week was the Southeast.
Refrigerated Spot Rates
Refrigerated spot rates decreased 4.4 cents but were up about 26% versus the same 2025 week. Rates, which have generally fallen during week 9 in recent years, have given up all but 2.5 cents of the 45-cent surge in week 4. However, as is the case with dry van, rates are substantially outperforming seasonal expectations. In 2025, refrigerated rates in week 9 were nearly 35 cents below rates in week 3. Moreover, weather – or, rather, lack thereof – clearly played a big role in the latest week’s decrease. After rising more than 8 cents during week 8 due to a winter storm, rates for refrigerated loads originating in the Northeast fell more than 14 cents in the latest week.
Refrigerated loads declined 2.3%. Load volume was about 5% higher than in the same week last year. Volume rose sharply on the West Coast and increased in both the Southeast and South Central but was down in other regions.
Flatbed Spot Rates
Flatbed spot rates rose 5.6 cents to their highest level since October 2022, as noted earlier. Rates were up 13.4% versus the same 2025 week for the strongest prior-year comparison since April 2022. Flatbed spot rates rose in all regions except the West Coast.
Flatbed loads rose 5.3% for the sixth straight increase, reaching the highest level since May 2022. Load postings were more than 49% higher than in the same 2025 week – essentially the same prior-year comparison as the previous week. Loads rose in the Northeast, Southeast, and South Central regions but were down week over week elsewhere.
The source of flatbed’s rate and volume strength in recent months is unclear, but both largely coincide with stronger manufacturing production as reported by the Federal Reserve. Greater manufacturing output coupled with continued construction of data centers are likely the major components, exacerbated by capacity in the sector that remains tight.
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.
