Van spot rates remain soft ahead of typical mid-year peak  

 Broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop system declined for the three principal equipment types during the week ended June 20 (week 24), but the performance was roughly in line with seasonal expectations. Week 24 of the year often sees lower spot rates week over week, although a calendar distortion arguably means that the latest week would be more comparable to last year’s week 25 – a week that saw solid gains in dry van and refrigerated rates. Flatbed spot rates typically decline in both weeks.

 Total load activity decreased 2.7% after falling about 4% during the previous week. Total volume was nearly 11% higher than it was in the same 2024 week but still down 27% versus the five-year average for the week. Total truck postings declined 0.8%, and the Market Demand Index – the ratio of load postings to truck postings in the system – was the lowest in three weeks.

 The total market broker-posted spot rate declined 1.4 cents. Total rates were 0.6% higher than they were during the same 2024 week – the weakest prior-year comparison in 15 weeks – but more than 8% below the five-year average. Rates excluding a calculated fuel surcharge – an adjustment that isolates the portion of all-in rates not needed to recoup fuel costs – were 1.4% higher than they were a year earlier.  

 Dry van spot rates declined 1.2 cents for the fourth straight decrease. Rates were 2% below the same 2024 week and 12% below the five-year average for the week. Excluding a calculated fuel surcharge, dry van rates were 1.6% lower y/y. Dry van loads were down 1.3%. Volume was nearly 6% below the same 2024 week and about 33% lower than the five-year average.

 Refrigerated spot rates decreased 3.6 cents after rising more than 5 cents during the previous week. Rates were about 3% below the same 2024 week and about 10% below the five-year average. Excluding a calculated fuel surcharge, refrigerated rates were nearly 3% lower y/y. Refrigerated loads were flat week over week. Volume was about 14% below the same 2024 week and close to 39% below the five-year average.

 Flatbed spot rates declined 1.4 cents after falling about 3 cents in the prior week. Rates were 0.2% below the same 2024 week – the first negative prior-year comparison in 15 weeks – and close to 9% below the five-year average. Rates excluding a calculated fuel surcharge were up just 0.4% y/y. Flatbed loads declined 3.9%. Volume was almost 26% higher than in the same 2024 week but down nearly 26% versus the five-year average.

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