Spot rates and volume were stable in the latest week

Following the volatility of the prior two weeks, spot rates in the Truckstop system during the week ended March 17 (week 11) returned to the stability that had held sway during most of February. Rates were up slightly in flatbed and refrigerated but down slightly in dry van. Total spot load activity increased 1%. One factor in the stability might be a return to a largely calm weather pattern for the U.S. With winter ending, weather should not play a major role absent natural disasters.

 

Loads Available 03.20.2023The slight increase in spot loads followed a decrease of more than 5% after a surge of nearly 17% in the week before that. Volume was almost 55% below the same week last year and about 29% below the five-year average. As had been the case in the previous week, total volume was up in the Southeast and South Central regions but down elsewhere. Truck postings declined by about 1%, and the Market Demand Index – the ratio of loads to trucks – moved slightly higher.

 

 

 


Total Rates 03.20.2023The total broker-posted spot market rate increased a half-cent. Total rates were nearly 21% below the same 2022 week but almost 2% above the five-year average. Fuel has ceased to be a significant factor in the year-over-year change as FTR estimates that rates excluding a calculated fuel surcharge were nearly 20% below the same 2022 week.

 

 

 

 

 

Dry Van 03.20.2023Dry van spot rates eased by nearly a half-cent after decreasing about 5 cents in the prior week. Rates were almost 27% below the same 2022 week and about 8% below the five-year average for the week. Dry van loads ticked up 0.5% after falling nearly 11% in the prior week. Volume was more than 53% below the same week last year and about 31% below the five-year average for the week. Loads were up in the Southeast and South Central regions but down elsewhere.


 

 

 

Reefer 03.20.2023

Refrigerated spot rates were up by about a half-cent after declining about 4 cents in the previous week. Rates were about 24% below the same 2022 week and 7% below the five-year average for the week. Refrigerated loads increased nearly 3% after falling 11% in the prior week. Volume was about 54% below the same week last year and nearly 35% below the five-year average for the week. Load activity was up in all regions except the West Coast.

 

 

 

Flatbed 03.20.2023
Flatbed spot rates increased 1 cent after dropping nearly 8 cents in the prior week. Rates were 20% below the same 2022 week but nearly 5% above the five-year average for the week. Flatbed loads ticked up more than 1% after a decline of a similar scope in the previous week. Volume was about 58% below the same week last year and more than 31% below the five-year average for the week. Load activity was up in the Southeast, South Central, and West Coast regions but down elsewhere.


 
Leveraging robust Truckstop data with the expert analysis of FTR Transportation Intelligence, Truckstop and FTR partner to bring you timely and relevant transportation market forecasts and analyses to help you run your business.