Spot Market Insights: Dry van spot rates reached all-time high heading into July 4th

Overview

• Broker-posted dry van spot rates rose to an all-time high during the week, topping the prior record at the end of 2021 by slightly more than a penny per mile.
• Reefer rates set a record for the largest week-over-week jump from the end of June into the days leading up to July 4th.
• They also reached their fourth-highest level ever, trailing only the first two weeks of 2022 and the final week of 2021.
• Flatbed spot rates declined slightly for a third straight week, but they're still hovering just three cents below the all-time high reached this June.
• The drop in load postings due to the holiday far exceeded the decline in truck postings, resulting in a Market Demand Index of 132.6 – the lowest level since the third week of 2026.

Additional Data

• For week 26 in the spot market, the overall Market Demand Index (MDI) fell 46.4 points to 132.6 as load availability decreased 26.9% and truck availability declined 1.3%.
• Compared to last year the MDI is up 61.7 points, or 87.1%.
• Last week, market rates rose 0.2% to $3.65. Compared to last year, rates are up 49.8%.
• National fuel prices continued to ease, falling $0.15 to $4.70 from $4.84 per gallon.
• The Van MDI decreased 59.8 points to 286.3 as load availability fell 19.8% and truck availability fell 3.1%.
• Compared to last year the MDI is up 169.3 points, or 144.6%.
• Last week, Van rates increased 3.8% to $3.10. Compared to last year, rates are up 57.9%.
• The Refrigerated MDI fell 62.6 points to 278.8 as load availability decreased 8.6% and truck availability increased 12.0%.
• Compared to last year the MDI is up 79.6 points, or 40.0%.
• Last week, Refrigerated rates rose 7.1% to $3.71. Rates are up 50.7% year-over-year.
• The Flatbed MDI decreased 76.4 points to 167.5 as load availability fell 33.3% and truck availability decreased 2.9%.
• Compared to last year the MDI is up 87.5 points, or 109.5%.
• Last week, Flatbed rates declined 0.3% to $3.82. Compared to last year, rates are up 51.3%.
• The Specialized MDI decreased 8.9 points to 29.5 as load availability fell 23.5% and truck availability decreased 0.5%.
• Compared to last year the MDI is up 10.2 points, or 52.5%.
• Last week, Specialized rates fell 1.2% to $3.62. Rates are up 39.3% year-over-year.