Flatbed rates surge, while dry van and refrigerated rates signal market stabilization

Last week, flatbed rates continued to surge, but dry van and refrigerated rates showed signs of finally stabilizing, according to weekly reports from FTR Transportation Intelligence and DAT Freight & Analytics.

According to FTR, “dry van spot rates technically increased week over week but barely so, and refrigerated van spot rates fell for a second straight week. However, spot rates for all three principal equipment types are quite robust year over year, even excluding the portion of the rate needed to recover soaring fuel costs."

Here is how rates and volumes changed across the three major spot market equipment types:

Dry van rates and volumes

According to FTR: Spot rates rose two-tenths of a cent last week. Year over year, rates are up almost 39%. Dry van loads fell 4%. 

According to DAT: National linehaul spot rates dropped $0.02 per mile last week, averaging $1.99 per mile. This rate is 25% higher than last year.

Refrigerated rates and volumes

According to FTR: Spot rates dropped almost 5 cents last week. Rates were about 35.5% higher than last year. Refrigerated loads dropped 10.7%.

According to DAT: National linehaul spot rates dropped $0.04 per mile last week, averaging $2.35 per mile. This rate is 25% higher than last year. 

Flatbed rates and volumes

According to FTR: Spot rates rose 8 cents again last week. Year over year, rates were up almost 24%. Flatbed loads dropped 3.8%.

According to DAT: National linehaul spot rates rose $0.03 per mile again last week, averaging $2.61 per mile. This rate is 23% higher than last year.