BEAVERTON, Ore. — Total broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop.com system fell by the most in three weeks during the week ending Oct. 23, but the decrease was still small as is typical for comparable weeks of the year.
“Dry van spot rates slightly outpaced seasonal expectations by increasing 2 cents, but refrigerated spot rates declined when they had risen in comparable weeks during the previous four years,” FTR said. “Flatbed spot rates also declined marginally, but that change is largely in keeping with seasonality.”
Total Spot Loads
Total load activity decreased 2.3% week over week after declining more than 1% during the previous week. Volume was up by about 7% versus the same 2025 week. Truck postings increased 1.6%, and the Market Demand Index – the ratio of loads to trucks – fell to its lowest level since January.
Total Spot Rates
The total market broker-posted rate decreased 2.3 cents a mile week over week after easing a total of less than half a cent during the prior two weeks. Total rates were nearly 41% 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 fell 3.7 cents and were up more than 33% y/y – more than 7 points below the prior-year comparison for all-in rates. The calculation is based on diesel prices through the week ended October 19.
Dry Van Spot Rates
Dry van spot rates increased 2 cents after easing less than a penny in the prior week. Rates were more than 48% higher than during the same 2025 week. Dry van spot rates were down week over week for loads originating in the South Central and Southeast regions but were up elsewhere, especially on the West Coast.
Dry van loads decreased 1.6% week over week after ticking up a little more than 1% during the previous week. Volume was 22.5% higher than during the same 2025 week. Load postings rose on the West Coast but were down in all other regions. However, the changes in the Midwest and Mountain Central regions were minuscule.
Refrigerated Spot Rates
Refrigerated spot rates fell 5.5 cents after decreasing 1.5 cents during the prior week. Rates were close to 42% higher than in the same 2025 week. Refrigerated spot rates fell sharply on loads originating in the South Central region and were down elsewhere except for the West Coast and the Southeast. However, the increase in the latter region was just a fraction of a penny.
Refrigerated loads decreased 5.4% after rising 3.0% in the prior week. Volume was more than 5% below that during the same week last year. Load postings rose sharply on the West Coast but were down in all other regions.
Flatbed Spot Rates
Flatbed spot rates declined 1.7 cents after basically holding steady in the previous week. Rates were 42% higher than during the same 2025 week. Flatbed spot rates rose for loads originating in the Midwest, West Coast and Northeast but were down elsewhere.
Flatbed loads decreased 3.9% after falling by essentially the same degree in the prior week. Volume was flat versus the same week last year. Loads increased on the West Coast and in the South Central region but were down elsewhere.
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe.
