Broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop system decreased for all equipment types during the week ended December 13 (week 50) in line with seasonal expectations, especially given the timing distortion due to a late Thanksgiving. After a solid gain in the prior week, refrigerated spot rates fell sharply as is typical for the second week after Thanksgiving. Dry van spot rates also declined as they usually do during the second week after Thanksgiving, although the decrease was much smaller than usual.

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For the first time since mid-October, all three principal equipment types saw increases in broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop system during the week ended December 6 (week 49). Refrigerated spot rates rose sharply after the prior week’s big drop had wiped out four weeks of gains. Flatbed spot rates saw their strongest increase since early October following Hurricane Helene. The increase in dry van spot rates did not match week 48’s gain but otherwise was the strongest since mid-October.

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Broker-posted refrigerated spot rates had risen in four straight weeks for the first time in three years, but a large drop during Thanksgiving week erased those gains. Refrigerated spot rates usually fall during the week that includes Thanksgiving – especially in recent years – but the 22-cent drop during the week ended November 29 (week 48) was the largest in a week since January 2023. Dry van and flatbed spot rates rose in line with expectations for a week that includes Thanksgiving.

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Broker-posted spot rates for refrigerated equipment in the Truckstop system rose sharply during the week before Thanksgiving to their highest level since mid-January. The increase in refrigerated rates during the week ended November 22 (week 47) was the strongest since International Roadcheck week in May. Dry van spot rates rose modestly while flatbed rates eased. Week 47 last year included the Thanksgiving holiday so y/y comparisons for spot rates and, especially, spot volume are skewed greatly.

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