PORTLAND, Ore. — After a chilly start to 2019, spot truckload volumes and rates look like they’re starting to thaw.
The number of load posts on the DAT network of load boards climbed 4 percent while truck posts fell 2 percent during the week ending February 16.
Reefers remain in a seasonal decline but volumes rose and capacity tightened for vans and flatbeds, which elevated load-to-truck ratios in both segments:
- Van L/T ratio: 4.8, up 4 percent
- Flatbed LT ratio: 27, up 12 percent
- Reefer L/T ratio: 5.8, down 1 percent
National average spot rates slipped but remain solid compared to previous years:
- Van: $1.90/mile, down 1 cent
- Flatbed: $2.33/mile, down 1 cent
- Reefer: $2.23/mile, down 2 cents
Van trends
Spot volumes firm up: Van load posts increased 2 percent while truck posts fell 2 percent. Van volumes appear to be firming up about a month ahead of schedule.
Van rates in balance: Rates rose on 47 of the top 100 van lanes last week and drifted lower on 40. Rates were unchanged on the remaining 13 lanes; that’s a big number and a signal that rates are at or near the bottom for winter.
Weather and rates: For an example of how weather affects rates, look at Seattle to Spokane. Snow and ice periodically shut down I-90 last week, and Seattle to Spokane—a typically weak lane — jumped 31 cents to an average of $3.54/mile.
Flatbed trends
Volumes build ahead of construction season: The number of flatbed load posts was up 7 percent last week while truck posts dropped 5 percent, a sign that seasonal construction activity is picking up.
Reefer trends
Will weak reefer markets affect van freight? The spot reefer market saw load posts fall 1 percent and truck posts hold steady last week. The downward trend may affect van capacity, as reefer haulers sometimes turn to spot van freight during lulls in the market.
DAT Trendlines are generated using DAT RateView, which provides real-time reports on spot market and contract rates, as well as historical rate and capacity trends. The RateView database is comprised of more than $60 billion in freight payments.
DAT load boards average 1.2 million load posts searched per business day.
For the latest spot market load availability and rate information, visit www.dat.com/trendlines and follow @LoadBoards on Twitter.
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.
