Rolling 4-Week Archives
Spot rates soar as expected due to winter storm
Last week’s broad swath of severe winter weather fully delivered the expected boost to the spot market and perhaps then some. Total broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop.com system rose during the week ended January 30 (week 4) by the most in a single week since the end of 2023. The 45-cent surge in refrigerated spot rates is the largest on record, at least back to 2008. The 20-cent jump in dry van spot rates is the third largest on record. Flatbed spot rates rose for the 10th time in 11 weeks.
Van spot rates decline heading into expected boost
Broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop.com system for dry van and refrigerated equipment fell as expected during the week ended January 23 (week 3), but a massive winter storm over the weekend could mean sizable spot rate increases for both equipment types during the current week. Flatbed spot rates increased for the ninth time in 10 weeks to the highest level since mid-2025. Absent major weather disruptions, van spot rates in the current week typically would continue post-holiday easing.
Van spot rates fall sharply again in the latest week
Post-holiday normalization in the spot market continued in the latest week. Broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop.com system for dry van and refrigerated van equipment both fell during the week ended January 16 (week 2) by considerably more than they did in the previous week and by more than they typically do in comparable weeks. Flatbed spot rates were the highest since mid-year. Van spot rates usually continue falling in week 3, although weather can be disruptive as was the case in 2024’s week 3.
Van spot rates fall as expected in the latest week
With holiday capacity shortfalls over, broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop.com system for dry van and refrigerated equipment fell sharply as expected during the week ended January 9 (week 1). Flatbed spot rates increased modestly – similar to post-holiday performance in recent years – and were at their highest level since July. Spot load volume surged following the New Year’s Day holiday. During the current week (week 2), van spot rates always fall while flatbed spot rates almost always rise.
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Truckstop's Brent Hutto dishes on spot market activity and other hot topics.