The number of posted loads slipped 0.6 percent while available capacity declined 2.7 percent on the spot truckload market during the week ending Sept. 26, according to DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards.
Van load availability gained 0.6 percent while the number of posted vans decreased 3.6 percent compared to the previous week. As a result, the national average van load-to-truck ratio was up 4.4 percent to 1.7 loads per truck, meaning there were 1.7 available van loads for every truck posted on the DAT network.
The national average van rate was unchanged from the previous week at $1.75 per mile.
Flatbed load availability rose 1.3 percent and the number of posted trucks was up 1.1 percent for the week, leaving the flatbed load-to-truck ratio for flatbeds virtually unchanged (up 0.1 percent) at 10.3 loads per truck. The national average flatbed rate dipped a penny to $2.03 per mile.
Refrigerated load volume dropped 4.7 percent and available capacity fell 2.5 percent, which pushed the refrigerated load-to-truck ratio down 2.3 percent to 4.3 loads per truck. The national average reefer rate fell 2 cents to $2.01 per mile with harvest seasons winding down and the holidays still several weeks away.
Falling fuel surcharges contributed to 1 cent of the decline. The national average price of diesel fell 1 cent to $2.48 per gallon last week. All reported rates include fuel surcharges.
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. Load-to-truck ratios represent the number of loads posted for every truck available on DAT load boards. The load-to-truck ratio is a sensitive, real-time indicator of the balance between spot market demand and capacity. Changes in the ratio often signal impending changes in rates.
For complete national and regional reports on spot rates and demand, visit dat.com/Trendlines. DAT Trendlines is a weekly report on spot market freight availability, truck capacity, and rates.
