October 20, 2025
Spot rates change little in the latest week
Broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop.com system increased for each of the three principal equipment types during the week ended October 17 (week 41) but not by much. Flatbed spot rates barely moved, and the same was true for the overall market rate. Dry van spot rates increased for the third time in four weeks while refrigerated spot rates rose by the smallest amount in the three straight weeks that they have increased. Changes were largely in line with seasonal expectations.
Total load activity eased 0.7% after decreasing 4.6% in the previous week. Volume was 13% higher than the same 2024 week for the weakest prior-year comparison in six weeks due mostly to a continued softening of large comparisons in flatbed. Loads were down more than 13% versus the five-year average for the week. Truck postings increased 4.1%, and the Market Demand Index – the ratio of loads to trucks – fell to its lowest level in five weeks.
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The total market broker-posted rate was virtually unchanged, ticking up just a tenth of a cent versus the prior week. Total rates were 1.6% higher than in the same 2024 week but close to 8% below the five-year average for the week. Historically, spot rates for the current week (week 42) usually decline for dry van and flatbed equipment, but refrigerated has seen gains in recent years.
Dry van spot rates increased 2 cents after falling more than 4 cents during the previous week. Rates were 0.6% higher than in the same 2024 week, a slight strengthening versus the week 40 comparison. Rates were about 13% lower than the five-year average for the week. Dry van loads were flat week over week. Volume was up nearly 7% versus the same 2024 week but close to 34% below the five-year average for the week.
Refrigerated spot rates increased more than 1 cent after rising more than 2 cents in the prior week. Rates were 5.4% higher than they were during the same 2024 week but close to 7% lower than the five-year average. Refrigerated loads declined 1.2%. Load volume was just 0.3% below the same 2024 week but almost 35% below the five-year average.
Flatbed spot rates ticked up just a tenth of a cent after decreasing more than 1 cent during the previous week. Rates were 1.6% higher than in the same 2024 week but close to 8% below the five-year average for the week. Flatbed loads decreased 1.1%. Load volume was nearly 22% higher than the same 2024 week – the softest prior-year comparison in 13 weeks – and close to 4% above the five-year average.
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Truckstop's Brent Hutto dishes on spot market activity and other hot topics.