Refrigerated spot linehaul rates paid to carriers averaged $2.71 per mile excluding fuel for the week ending October 31, 2026, according to DAT Freight and Analytics RateView data published November 5. The figure is up 31.2% from a year earlier, a gain of $0.65 per mile, and up 1.2% from the previous week. DAT's seven-day rolling average chart places the 2026 line above the nine-year average for the whole year to date.

DAT's reefer produce report showed national produce volume fell 3% from the prior week and 7% from a year earlier. Texas volume dropped 9% on limes, cucumbers and avocados, and Mexico crossings through Texas fell 9%. California volume slipped 1% and is down 14% from a year ago. Washington held within 1% of the prior week.

Rates on the USDA lanes covering California, Texas and Washington ran 16% to 51% above last year. Washington led at 51%, California was up 39% and Texas was up 16%. USDA reported produce spot rates averaged $3.83 per mile for the week ending November 3. Across the 48 lanes published in both years, that average is up 40%, or $1.08 per mile. Truck availability averaged 3, described as adequate, on USDA's 1-to-5 scale, and 16 of 76 lanes read 4, a slight shortage.

DAT noted that rates running this far above last year while volume slips is consistent with a tighter market, though individual lane moves were uneven.

Source: DAT Freight & Analytics - https://www.dat.com/blog/reefer-produce-report-produce-volume-slips-3-while-lane-rates-run-16-to-51-above-last-year