Freight trends from DAT One and DAT iQ (Week 34)

The total number of loads posted on DAT One fell 7.6% to 1.56 million last week, down 24% year over year. It was the lowest Week 34 total since 2019. Truck posts slipped 1.6% to 327,132.

Dry Vans

▼ Van loads: 734,478, down 9.0% week over week (28% lower Y/O/Y)

▼ Van equipment: 216,031, down 0.9% (13% lower Y/O/Y)

▼ Linehaul rate: $1.61 net fuel, down 1 cent week over week

▼ Load-to-truck ratio: 3.4, down from 3.7

Reefers

▼ Reefer loads: 367,065, down 7.6% week over week (32% lower Y/O/Y)

▼ Reefer equipment: 64,675, down 3.8% (21% lower Y/O/Y)

— Linehaul rate: $1.97 net fuel, unchanged

▼ Load-to-truck ratio: 5.7, down from 5.9

Flatbeds

▼ Flatbed loads: 462,437, down 5.5% week over week (7% lower Y/O/Y)

▼ Flatbed equipment: 46,426, down 1.7% (19% lower Y/O/Y)

— Linehaul rate: $1.97 net fuel, unchanged

▼ Load-to-truck ratio: 10.0, down from 10.4

Market Notes from Dean Croke, DAT Principal Analyst:

• The linehaul rate on DAT One’s Top 50 van lanes (based on the number of loads moved) averaged $1.99 a mile, flat compared to last week but 38 cents higher than the national average.
• The national average reefer linehaul rate remained flat for the fourth week on 1% less volume of loads moved. At $1.97 a mile, reefer spot rates remained almost identical to last year and 2 cents lower than the three-month trailing average.
• August 25-31 is CVSA Brake Safety Week, a North American-wide campaign focused on brake inspections. Truckers often take time off this week to reduce their exposure to delays and inspections.