Capacity pressure eased during the week ending June 14 as spot truckload freight availability dipped 0.7% and the number of available trucks increased 12%, according to DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards.
The national average load-to-truck ratio fell 13% to 10.1, meaning there were 10.1 van, refrigerated, and flatbed loads posted for every truck available on DAT load boards.
The national average van rate added 2 cents (1.1%) to $2.07 per mile (including fuel surcharge), as the rate approached the all-time high of $2.10 per mile set in March. The number of posted van loads fell 0.7% while van capacity increased 14% compared to the previous week. The van load-to-truck ratio was down 13% to 4.2.
The national average reefer rate rose 3 cents to $2.41 per mile on the strength of Western markets including Los Angeles ($3.10 per mile, up 7 cents) and Fresno ($2.46 per mile, a 13-cent jump). Average outbound rates from Florida continued to cool, including Lakeland dropping 30 cents to $2.26 per mile.
The number of posted refrigerated loads fell 2.8% against a 7.9% increase in posted capacity, sending the reefer load-to-truck ratio down 10% to 11.1.
The national average rate for flatbeds fell 2 cents (0.8%) to $2.42 per mile last week. The number of posted flatbed loads slipped 0.3% compared to the previous week and capacity added 4.7%, producing a 4.8% drop in the national load-to-truck ratio. It remains robust at 48.5 posted loads per truck.
The national average diesel price declined a penny to $3.88 per gallon. Prices had dropped 2.6 cents per gallon during the previous week.
Load-to-truck ratios represent the number of loads posted for every truck posted on DAT load boards. The load-to-truck ratio is a sensitive, real-time indicator of the balance between spot market demand and capacity. Changes in the ratio often signal impending changes in rates. Rates are derived from DAT® RateView.
For complete national and regional reports on spot rates and demand, visit dat.com/Resources/Trendlines.aspx. DAT Trendlines is a weekly report on spot market freight availability, truck capacity, and rates.