An unusual surge of truckload freight led to higher-than-normal volumes on the spot market during the week ending July 29, 2017, said DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards.
The number of available loads increased 2% while truck posts edged down 2% compared with the previous week. National average load-to-truck ratios stayed firm: reefers held at 8.5; the van load/truck ratio was 5.3, up from 4.8; while flatbeds remained at 36.1.
Typically, July is a month when spot truckload freight activity begins to decline.
Reefer demand remained strong for late July as load posts gained 5% and truck posts dropped 2%. The national average rate fell 1 cent to $2.08/mile.
Regionally, harsh weather is taking a toll on crops, but several lanes showed solid gains:
•Grand Rapids MI–Cleveland OH added 50 cents to $4.12/mile
•Grand Rapids–Madison WI rose 32 cents to $3.19/mile
•Chicago IL–Atlanta GA was up 32 cents to $2.59/mile
•Sacramento CA–Denver CO added 26 cents to $2.55/mile
The highest outbound average reefer rate the week ending July 29 was Green Bay WI, a penny higher at $2.88/mile. Chicago added 11 cents to $2.46/mile.
In the van market, the top 100 van lanes set all-time records for volumes the week ending July 29. Nationally, load posts climbed 6% and posted truck capacity decreased 2%. Rates did not respond: the national average van rate dipped 2 cents to $1.79/mile. Chicago ($2.08/mile, down 1 cent), Los Angeles CA ($2.15/mile, down 3 cents), Houston TX ($1.76/mile, down 3 cents) and Charlotte NC ($2.16/mile, down 3 cents) trended lower for outbound spot van rates.
Flatbed load posts retreated 1% the week ending July 29 while truck posts lost 4%. At $2.19/mile, the national average flatbed rate was 1 cent higher than the previous week.
Rates are derived from DAT RateView, which provides real-time reports on prevailing spot market and contract rates, as well as historical rate and capacity trends. All reported rates include fuel surcharges.
For the latest spot market load availability and rate information, go to www.dat.com/industry-trends/trendlines.
