BEAVERTON, ORE. — For the first time since mid-August, broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop.com system for all three principal equipment types decreased week over week during the week ending Oct. 30.
“Softer rates are the norm, however, as the moves largely were in keeping with seasonal expectations,” FTR said. “Although flatbed spot rates usually increase in comparable weeks, those gains often are quite small. During the current week, dry van and refrigerated spot rates usually rise while flatbed rates usually decline.”
Total Spot Loads
Total load activity rose 8.5% week over week for the largest gain in six weeks. Volume was almost 15% higher than during the 2025 week. Truck postings were essentially flat, and the Market Demand Index – the ratio of loads to trucks – increased to its highest level in four weeks.
Total Spot Rates
The total market broker-posted rate decreased 1.3 cents a mile week over week after decreasing more than 2 cents during the previous week. Total rates were 41.5% higher than in the same week last year.
Excluding a calculated fuel surcharge to isolate the portion of the rate not needed for fuel cost recovery, total spot rates were up less than 34% versus the same week last year, roughly maintaining the differential of about 7 points below the prior-year comparison for all-in rates. The calculation is based on diesel prices through the week ended October 26.
Dry Van Spot Rates
Dry van spot rates decreased 2.5 cents after rising increasing 2 cents in the prior week. Rates close to 48% higher than during the same 2025 week. Dry van spot rates rose sharply week over week for loads originating on the West Coast and were up modestly in the South Central region but fell elsewhere.
West Coast rates have been rising in most weeks since around Labor Day – especially in the past three weeks – and in the latest week were up nearly 65% versus the same 2025 week – the strongest comparison of the year. Probably not coincidentally, weekly U.S. intermodal volume recently was at a record level due mostly to strength for the western railroads.
Dry van loads increased 6.3% week over week after declining slightly during the previous week. Volume was about 28% higher than during the same 2025 week. Load postings recorded solid gains in all regions except for the Northeast and Midwest.
Refrigerated Spot Rates
Refrigerated spot rates decreased 3.5 cents after falling 7 cents total over the prior two weeks. Rates, which have been soft in keeping with seasonal expectations, were more than 41% higher than in the same 2025 week. Refrigerated spot rates were mixed by region, rising for loads originating on the West Coast and the South Central and Mountain Central regions but falling elsewhere – especially in the Midwest.
Refrigerated loads increased 4.2% after decreasing more than 5% in the prior week. Volume was more than 5% higher than that during the same week last year. Load postings rose sharply on the West Coast and in the Southeast and were up elsewhere except for the Northeast and Midwest.
Flatbed Spot Rates
Flatbed spot rates declined 1.6 cents, essentially matching the decrease in the previous week. Rates were 42% higher than during the same 2025 week – the same comparison as in the prior week. Flatbed spot rates rose for loads originating on the West Coast and in the Southeast but were down elsewhere.
Flatbed loads rose 11.2% after falling in four straight weeks. Volume was about 8% higher than in the same week last year for the strongest comparison in eight weeks. Loads increased in all regions, although the gain in the Northeast was far smaller than elsewhere.
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe.
