BEAVERTON, Ore. — Broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop.com system for dry van and refrigerated van equipment pulled back somewhat during the week ending June 5.
“Spot rates in both cases were more than 50% higher than they were during the same week last year,” FTR said. “The week-over-week declines match seasonal expectations for van rates between Memorial Day and late June even though those rates are at extraordinarily high levels. Meanwhile, flatbed spot rates rose for the 28th time in the last 29 weeks.”
Total Spot Loads
Total load activity recovered 9.4% week over week after falling about 15% during the week that included the Memorial Day holiday. Volume was around 57% higher than during the same 2025 week due primarily to flatbed as has been the case for months, although loads were up year over year for all equipment types. Truck postings increased 5.1%, and the Market Demand Index – the ratio of loads to trucks – increased to just slightly below the level two weeks earlier.
Total Spot Rates
The total market broker-posted rate increased by 2.4 cents a mile week over week to another all-time high, although the gain was the smallest since February. Driven by flatbed’s consistency and the upward pressure brought on by surging fuel costs and, previously, weather disruptions, total broker-posted rates have risen for 20 straight weeks.
All-in broker-posted rates were nearly 50% higher than in the same week last year while rates excluding a calculated surcharge were about 46% higher. Although carriers operating in the spot market typically do not receive surcharges, the calculation is a proxy for the portion of the rate needed to offset higher fuel costs.
Dry Van Spot Rates
Dry van spot rates declined by 3.7 cents for the first week-over-week decrease in six weeks. During the previous week, broker-posted rates had come within 3 cents of the all-time high recorded in late 2021. The prospects are strong that dry van spot rates will set a record at least by early July.
All-in dry van spot rates were 55% higher than during the same 2025 week while rates excluding a fuel surcharge were up close to 52%. Rates were up week over week for loads originating in the West Coast, Mountain Central, and South Central regions but were down in the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast.
Dry van loads rose 13.8% – not quite matching the level during the week prior to the holiday. Volume was more than 53% higher than in the same 2025 week. Load postings recovered in all regions during the week after the holiday week, although the gains in the Midwest and Northeast were notably softer than those elsewhere.
Refrigerated Spot Rates
Refrigerated spot rates fell 11 cents after dropping a little more than 10 cents during the previous week. Broker-posted rates were about 50% higher than during the same week last year while rates excluding a fuel surcharge were up by more than 46%. Refrigerated spot rates fell sharply for loads originating in the Southeast and Midwest while changes were far smaller in other regions.
Refrigerated loads rose 8.8% after dropping about 20% during the holiday week. Volume was about 16% higher than during the same 2025 week. Load postings declined slightly in the Midwest but were up strongly in all other regions following the holiday impact.
Flatbed Spot Rates
Flatbed spot rates rose by a little more than 5 cents for smallest increase in six weeks. Rates continued to set all-time highs both for all-in rates and rates excluding surcharges. All-in flatbed rates were more than 49% higher than in the same 2025 week while rates excluding a surcharge were up about 46%. Rates fell on loads originating in the Mountain Central and Northeast but were up in all other regions.
Flatbed loads increased 7.4% after dropping more than 15% during the holiday week. Volume was 71% higher than in the same week last year. Load postings rose in all regions.
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.
