DAT truckload spot rates and load-to-truck ratios, March 29-April 4, 2026

Spot rates climb as carriers price in fuel costs

Total load posts on DAT One dropped to 3.58 million last week, a 12% decrease from the previous week, as the market seemed to pull back after the quarter ended and before Easter. Truck posts fell across dry van and reefer categories, while flatbed capacity slightly increased. With fuel costs continuing to rise, national average broker-to-carrier spot rates increased across the board.

▲ Dry van: $2.40 per mile, up 7 cents week over week

▲ Refrigerated: $2.79 per mile, up 5 cents

▲ Flatbed: $2.92 per mile, up 11 cents

Van: Loads and trucks both eased

▼ Van loads: 1,355,940, down 14% week over week

▼ Van equipment: 151,400, down 2%

▲ Linehaul rate: $2.04 per mile, up 7 cents

▼ Load-to-truck ratio: 9.0, down from 10.1

Reefer: Capacity and loads retreated together

▼ Reefer loads: 651,807, down 15% week over week

▼ Reefer equipment: 38,533, down 4%

▲ Linehaul rate: $2.43 per mile, up 5 cents

▼ Load-to-truck ratio: 16.9, down from 19.0

Flatbed: Trucks ticked up as loads fell

▼ Flatbed loads: 1,572,902, down 9% week over week

▲ Flatbed equipment: 21,178, up 1%

▲ Linehaul rate: $2.55 per mile, up 11 cents

▼ Load-to-truck ratio: 74.3, down from 82.0

Market analysis from Dean Croke, Industry Analyst, DAT Freight & Analytics

The national average flatbed rate rose by 11 cents to $2.55 a mile, marking the largest weekly increase in over a decade. The rate is now at its highest in four years and 40 cents higher than in the same period last year. The national dry van load-to-truck ratio dropped to 9.0 last week, influenced by a 14% decline in load posts and a 2% decrease in equipment posts.

Is last week’s 9% drop in flatbed load posts a blip or the beginning of a trend? In a strong flatbed market, volumes usually peak later in May. Still, flatbed load posts are significantly above historical averages—up 28% from last year.

California’s four-week produce lull has ended, according to the latest USDA AMS Specialty Crops National Truck Rate Report. Every California region shifted to a “Slight Shortage” designation for trucks this week—a notable move from “Adequate”—and rates increased across the board. Imperial/Coachella and Santa Maria set new rate baselines without week-over-week comparisons, indicating a structural increase. Note that USDA’s expanded commodity mix from Imperial/Coachella now includes blackberries, blueberries, and bok choy, along with the usual lettuce, broccoli, and leafy greens. South/Central District produce categories have also been reset to include avocados, artichokes, and radishes.