DAT Trendlines reports that August ended with average rates that were lower than those in June and July but were still about 20 percent higher than August 2017.
The report said demand for flatbeds has returned to last year’s levels but reefer demand is strong in several Northern states as farmers harvest large late-summer crops of apples, potatoes and onions.
The national average rate fell 1 cent per mile for vans and was down 2 cents for flatbeds, while reefer rates held steady.
Spot market loads were down 3.0 percent for the last week in August compared with the week prior, while van load-to-truck ratios were down 5.9 percent for the same two weeks.
Flatbed load-to-truck ratios were down 10 percent while flatbed spot rates were down 0.8 percent and reefer load-to-truck ratios were down 3.5 percent, while spot reefer rates were the same and fuel prices were up 0.6 percent over the same period.
Year-over-year rates were all up for the period over 2017 numbers except for flatbed load-to-truck rates, which were down 0.8 percent.
Spot market loads were up 27 percent over last year; spot market capacity was up 18 percent over August 2017; van load-to-truck ratios were up 29 percent; spot van rates were up 20 percent over last year; spot flatbed rates were up 21 percent; reefer load-to-truck ratios were down 9.1 percent; spot reefer rates were up 20 percent and fuel prices were up 24 percent compared with the period of 2017.
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
