In the week of April 20-26, DAT Freight & Analytics reported substantial trends in the truckload spot market influenced by seasonal demand and economic conditions. Load posts increased by 10.8% to 2.25 million loads, driven by retail and produce demands, contrasting prior declines. Truck posts fell 7.3% to 243,864, marking the lowest Week 17 figures in nearly a decade, suggesting tight market capacity. Average spot rates modestly rose, reflecting demand and limited availability of equipment across van, reefer, and flatbed categories.
Van loads increased by 14.2% to 854,216, with equipment availability dropping by 6.8%. Linehaul rates for vans increased by one cent to $1.61 net of fuel. Meanwhile, reefer loads surged 18.5% to 437,173, with a 9.6% equipment reduction and a linehaul rate increase to $1.90 net of fuel. Flatbeds experienced a 5.0% rise to 964,251 loads; equipment availability decreased by 7.0%, with rates at $2.17 net of fuel.
DAT iQ analyst Dean Croke noted a 32% increase in van load postings in Los Angeles due to importers’ tariff concerns, while domestic produce volumes remain lower year-over-year. Ken Adamo, DAT’s Chief of Analytics, emphasized economic impacts on the flatbed sector, noting tariffs and oil prices influence market dynamics. Despite these complexities, industry stakeholders remain hopeful for improved conditions entering the next quarter.
