November 9, 2026
Spot rate moves are mostly seasonal in the latest week
Broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop.com system for dry van and refrigerated van equipment increased week over week while flatbed spot rates fell during the week ended November 6 (week 44). Directionally, spot rates for all three equipment types moved according to seasonal patterns, but the decrease in flatbed rates was a bit larger than normal. During the current week (week 45), refrigerated spot rates usually rise, flatbed rates fall, and dry van rates have been mixed over the years.
Total load activity increased 7.0% week over week after rising close to 9% during the previous week. Volume was almost 34% higher than it was during the 2025 week for the strongest comparison since June. Truck postings fell 8.5%, which is the largest drop in nearly six months. As a result, the Market Demand Index – the ratio of loads to trucks – jumped to its highest level since early July.
The total market broker-posted rate decreased 1.8 cents a mile week over week after decreasing more than 1 cent during the previous week. Total rates were almost 41% higher than i the same week last year.
Excluding a calculated fuel surcharge to isolate the portion of the rate not needed for fuel cost recovery, total spot rates were up close to 35% versus the same week last year. The calculation is based on diesel prices through the week ended November 2.
Dry van spot rates increased 4.4 cents. Rates were 48.5% higher than during the same 2025 week. Dry van spot rates rose for loads originating in all regions, though rate gains in the Midwest and Southeast trailed the national increase.
Dry van loads increased 5.6% week over week. Volume was about 39% higher than during the same 2025 week. Load postings were practically flat in the Southeast and on the West Coast but rose in all other regions except for the Northeast.
Refrigerated spot rates rose just over 7 cents for the largest week-over-week increase since the week before Labor Day and the first increase of any size in four weeks. Rates were more than 41% higher than in the same 2025 week, matching the prior week’s comparison. Refrigerated spot rates decreased for loads originating in the Northeast and Mountain Central region but rose elsewhere.
Refrigerated loads jumped 18.4% – the largest increase since International Roadcheck week in May. Volume was close to 23% higher than that during the same week last year. Load postings dipped slightly in the Northeast but were up strongly in all other regions.
Flatbed spot rates dropped 5.7 cents for the fourth decrease in five weeks. Rates were nearly 40% higher than during the same 2025 week. Flatbed spot rates increased slightly for loads originating in the South Central region but were down elsewhere.
Flatbed loads increased 6.2%. Volume was more than 32% higher than in the same week last year for the strongest comparison since late June. Loads were essentially flat on the West Coast and in the Mountain Central region but rose in all other regions.
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Truckstop's Brent Hutto dishes on spot market activity and other hot topics.