The spot truckload freight market followed seasonal patterns during the week ending April 4, 2015, as load availability increased and capacity tightened, according to DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards.
Overall, the number of available loads on DAT load boards rose 3.2% against a 1.0% decrease in posted capacity compared with the previous week.
The national average rate for flatbed freight added 3 cents to $2.22 per mile, reflecting a 5-cent uptick in the linehaul portion of the rate and a 2-cent drop in the fuel surcharge. Regionally, average flatbed rates out of Pittsburgh PA rose 27 cents to $2.36 per mile and Harrisburg PA added 20 cents to $3.59 per mile. Southeastern markets stayed strong as Tampa FL jumped 23 cents to $1.63 per mile and Jacksonville FL, down a penny, was $2.71 a mile.
Flatbed load availability was up 9% the week ending April 4 while capacity also added 3.4%. The load-to-truck ratio rose 5% from 19.9 to 20.9 loads per truck, meaning that for every available flatbed truck the week ending April 4 there were 20.9 available loads.
