Rolling 4-Week Archives
Spot rates mostly decline in seasonal moves
The total broker-posted spot rate in the Truckstop.com system was basically unchanged during the week ended August 28 (week 34), although it technically ticked up fraction of a cent for the first increase in eight weeks. Dry van spot rates also rose for the first time in eight weeks while refrigerated van rates recorded their largest increase over that period. Flatbed spot rates fell for an 11th straight week but by the smallest amount in nine weeks. Labor Day timing might be distorting seasonality a bit.
Spot rates remain sluggish despite higher fuel costs
Broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop.com system continued to move in a largely seasonal fashion during the week ended August 21 (week 33) despite sharply higher diesel prices recently. Dry van spot rates fell for a seventh straight week while refrigerated van rates eked out a slight gain. Flatbed spot rates declined for a 10th straight week, although that result is not unusual for late summer. The current week usually means stronger van rates, but a late Labor Day might distort the normal pattern.
Spot rates declined more than usual in the latest week
The total market broker-posted rate fell more than 7 cents a mile week over week to its lowest level since early April. The decrease was much larger than typical even on a percentage basis as well as in the nominal amount. Rates were about 38% higher than in the same 2025 week – the softest comparison since before the International Roadcheck event in May.
Spot rates were weaker than seasonally expected
Week-over-week changes in broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop.com system were mixed during the week ended August 7 (week 31), but all equipment types underperformed seasonal expectations. Refrigerated spot rates rose, but the gain was smaller than typical for comparable weeks of the year. Dry van rates occasionally decline during comparable weeks, but the decrease was the largest since at least 2008. Flatbed rates almost always fall but the only comparable week with a larger drop was in 2022.
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Truckstop's Brent Hutto dishes on spot market activity and other hot topics.