Spot truckload freight volumes stabilized during the week ending Feb. 18, as the number of available loads increased 4% and capacity fell 1.2% compared to the previous week, reports DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards.
Load-to-truck ratios were up for each trailer type last week, according to DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards:
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Van: 2.5 loads per truck, up 4%
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Refrigerated: 4.7, unchanged
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Flatbed: 26.9, up 9%. Flatbed load posts increased 7% last week while truck posts declined 2%
Stronger ratios were not enough to propel national average spot rates higher compared to the previous week:
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Van: $1.62/mile, down 1 cent
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Reefer: $1.88/mile, down 1 cent
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Flatbed: Unchanged at $1.96/mile
VAN TRENDS
The number of van load posts increased 3% last week while van posts dipped 1%. While the national average van rate fell 1 cent compared to the previous week, 46 of the top 100 van lanes had higher rates last week compared to 41 that paid less. Thirteen lanes were neutral.
Average outbound rates in major markets were mixed:
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Dallas, $1.49/mile, up 2 cents
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Atlanta, $1.83/mile, unchanged
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Philadelphia, $1.57/mile, up 2 cents
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Chicago, $1.93/mile, up 2 cents
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Los Angeles, $1.86/mile, down 2 cents
Several van lanes fell due to an influx of reefer capacity: low demand in the reefer market had reefer carriers competing for van freight last week.
REEFER TRENDS
Load and truck posts increased less than 1% last week, which kept the national load-to-truck ratio at 4.7.
