Truckload rates hold steady as holiday freight season tests limited capacity
Truckload rates remain near historic highs and carriers retain strong negotiating leverage as rising peak-season freight volumes...
Spot truckload rates have held flat for two months at approximately $3.47 per mile, sitting roughly 48% higher than at this time last year, but as peak-season freight enters the market, carriers retain the leverage while shipping volumes build.
DAT Freight & Analytics reported that the national average spot-market rate for dry van truckload freight rose to $3.05 a mile in October, marking its highest monthly average since February 2022, even as fuel costs eased slightly.
National average spot rates across major equipment types reflect continued elevation, staying about 45% higher year-over-year:
TRAFFIX data shows tender rejections eased to 12.9%, down from earlier peaks but still well above the 6.2% recorded a year ago. Meanwhile, truckload volumes increased about 4.7% over a recent two-week window as peak-season demand ramps up.
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