Spot Market Insights: Rates continue moving predictably each week & staying very high YoY

Truckstop.com & FTR Transportation Intelligence’s analysis of the spot market for the week ending 6/26 reinforces the previous week’s takeaway: While the market is following seasonal patterns, rates are dramatically elevated compared to the same period in recent years.

Overview

• As expected given seasonal patterns, broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop.com system for dry van and refrigerated van equipment rose week over week while flatbed spot rates declined slightly.

◦ It’s virtually certain that dry van and refrigerated spot rates will continue to rise this week: The week heading into the July 4th holiday is one the most reliably strong ones of the year for van spot rates.

• As it has been throughout 2026, the MDI was up significantly compared to last year: 90.7 points, or 102.8%.

• National fuel prices continued falling as geopolitical tensions eased, dipping below $5 per gallon for the first time in several weeks.

◦ Prices fell 21 cents, from $5.05 to $4.84 per gallon.

Additional Data

• Last week, load availability increased 4.2% and truck availability declined 5.5%.

• The Van MDI increased 94.7 points to 346.1 as load availability rose 10.5% and truck availability fell 19.7%.

◦ Compared to last year the MDI is up 201.3 points, or 139.0%.

◦ Week-over-week, van rates increased 1.8% to $2.99. Compared to last year, rates are up 56.1%.

• The Refrigerated MDI increased 111.7 points to 341.5 as load availability rose 16.9% and truck availability decreased 21.3%.

◦ Compared to last year the MDI is up 125.0 points, or 57.7%.

◦ Week-over-week, refrigerated rates rose 2.5% to $3.46. Compared to last year, rates are up 49.9%.

• The Flatbed MDI rose 5.5 points to 243.8 as load availability fell 0.7% and truck availability decreased 2.9%.

◦ Compared to last year the MDI is up 136.9 points, or 128.1%.

◦ Last week, Flatbed rates declined 0.2% to $3.83. Compared to last year, rates are up 52.1%.

• The Specialized MDI increased 3.0 points to 38.3 as load availability rose 8.4% and truck availability decreased 0.1%.

◦ Compared to last year the MDI is up 14.4 points, or 60.0%.

◦ Last week, Specialized rates rose 0.5% to $3.66. Compared to last year, rates are up 43.8%.