After March closed with a spike in activity, spot truckload volume dipped 1 percent and the number of posted trucks increased 6.2 percent during the week ending April 9, reported DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards.
Flatbed load volume rose 9 percent and capacity increased 3 percent compared to the previous week, resulting in a 6 percent increase in the load-to-truck ratio to 23.5. The national average flatbed rate rose 1 cent to $1.92 per mile with strong demand in the Southeast.
Several markets in the region experienced higher average outbound rates, led by Jacksonville, Fla., up 18 cents to $2.45 per mile.
Van load posts fell 13 percent and truck posts increased 7 percent as rates trended down on 63 of the top 100 van lanes. Most of the adjustments were small: Los Angeles, Calif. outbound fell a penny to an average of $1.84 per mile; Denver, Colo. dropped 1 cent to $1.13; Buffalo, N.Y. fell 4 cents to $1.91; and Atlanta, Ga. dipped 1 cent to $1.70.
Nationally, the van load-to-truck ratio was 1.6, down from 1.9 the previous week, and the average van rate fell 4 cents to $1.53 per mile.
Reefer load posts declined 12 percent while truck posts gained 7 percent last week. As a result, the reefer load-to-truck ratio fell from 3.2 to 2.6 and the average reefer rate declined 2 cents to $1.80 per mile.
Regionally, the produce season is winding down in Florida while California is slowly improving; more produce from Mexico led to a surge in volume out of Nogales, Ariz.
The national average diesel price was up 1 cent at $2.13 a gallon.
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.
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.
