TransCore’s September North American Freight Index rose 3.2% compared to August and 45% compared to September 2010.
September marked the highest same-month spot market freight availability since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The month-over-month increase from August to September follows typical, seasonal patterns, according to TransCore officials.
Alongside the increase in spot market freight volumes, truckload freight rates rose in September for all equipment types. National average rates increased 2.3% for dry vans compared to August and 3.9% compared to September 2010, excluding fuel surcharge. Refrigerated (“reefer”) van rates were up 1.3% versus August, and 2.1% compared to September 2010. Flatbed rates were stable month-over-month with a 0.6% increase compared to August, but that segment gained 10.2% year-over-year due to high demand. Spot market rates are paid to the carrier by freight brokers and third-party logistics (3PL) companies.
TransCore’s monthly North American Freight Index reflects spot market freight availability on the company’s network of load boards in the United States and Canada.