Spot rates add to Roadcheck gains in the latest week

Broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop system increased modestly during the week ended May 24 (week 21) following the gains seen during the prior week, which had included the International Roadcheck inspection event. Further rate increases for the total spot market during the week following Roadcheck are common and have occurred every year since the event moved to May. For the past three years, the week following Roadcheck has also been the week before Memorial Day, likely adding to rate strength.

Total load activity decreased 4.2% after rising nearly 12% during the previous week. Total volume was less than 2% below the same 2023 week and 24% below the five-year average for the week. Total truck postings increased 1.7%, and the Market Demand Index – the ratio of load postings to truck postings in the system – declined from the prior week but otherwise was the strongest since the beginning of 2023.

The total broker-posted rate increased 1.7 cents after increasing about 3 cents during the previous week. Rates, which moved higher for all equipment types, were 5% below the same 2023 week and more than 7% below the five-year average for the week. Spot rates for van equipment are tracking more closely with comparable 2023 weeks than are rates for flatbed, which – while stable – have not shown any signs of their usual spring peak. 

Dry van spot rates rose 4 cents after increasing 7.5 cents during the previous week. Rates, which were at their highest level since the fifth week of this year, were more than 2% below the same 2023 week and 9% below the five-year average. Dry van loads declined 4% after rising nearly 21% during the prior week. Volume was more than 4% below the same 2023 week and about 20% below the five-year average for the week.

Refrigerated spot rates rose nearly 3 cents after jumping 13 cents during Roadcheck week. Rates, which were the highest since the third week of 2024, were 1.4% above the same 2023 week but about 4% below the five-year average for the week. Refrigerated loads decreased 5.6% after soaring more than 24% during Roadcheck week. Volume was 3% below the same 2023 week and almost 26% below the five-year average for the week.

Flatbed spot rates ticked up just over half a cent after rising about 2 cents during the prior week. Rates were 6.6% below the same 2023 week and more than 7.5% below the five-year average for the week. Flatbed loads decreased 4% after rising more than 5% during the previous week. Volume was about 1% below the same week last year and nearly 29% below the five-year average for the week.

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