Demand for truckload services cooled in August after July’s tariff-driven pull-forward of imports, according to DAT Freight & Analytics.
The DAT Truckload Volume Index (TVI) declined for dry van, refrigerated, and flatbed freight, reflecting fewer loads moved last month vs. July:
- Van TVI: 236, down 8% month over month and 7% lower year over year
- Refrigerated (reefer) TVI: 193, down 6% month over month, up 1% year over year
- Flatbed TVI: 298, down 6% month over month, up 2% year over year
“August underscored how shippers pulling forward imports earlier in the year is affecting typical seasonal demand for trucks,” says Ken Adamo, DAT chief of analytics. “Retail goods that usually move in August—back-to-school and holiday products, for example—are already in inventory.”
Key takeaways:
· The number of available loads on the spot market increased during the final week of August, when a national brake-inspection campaign and the lead-up to Labor Day weekend tightened capacity. Overall, however, freight volumes were softer than usual for August, especially for van loads. The Van TVI was the lowest for August since 2021.
· National average spot rates declined across all three equipment types in August:
Spot van: $2.03 per mile, down 2 cents from July
Spot reefer: $2.41 per mile, down 1 cent
Spot flatbed: $2.49 per mile, down 6 cents
· Linehaul rates, which exclude an amount equal to an average fuel surcharge, tracked with changes to broker-to-carrier spot rates. The van linehaul rate averaged $1.61 per mile, down 2 cents month over month. The reefer rate was unchanged at $1.96, and the flatbed rate fell 5 cents to $1.99. Linehaul rates were higher compared to August 2024, when the van rate was $1.59 per mile, the reefer rate was $1.95, and the flatbed rate was $1.92.
· Rates to move freight under contract declined as well:
Contract van: $2.42 per mile, down 2 cents month over month
Contract reefer: $2.74 per mile, down 4 cents
Contract flatbed: $3.09 per mile, down 2 cents
“Rates are under pressure for truckload carriers bidding on contracts for 2026,” says Adamo. “While shippers are uncertain about future freight volumes, especially industrial, cross-border, and goods that follow import cycles, they’ve managed to hold the line on contract pricing.”
