U.S. truckload spot rates declined sharply in mid-August while remaining well above year-earlier levels, according to data from Truckstop, FTR Transportation Intelligence and DAT Freight & Analytics reported on Aug. 19.
Overall spot market rates fell 2.2% to $3.20 per mile for the week ending Aug. 14, per Truckstop and FTR figures. Total spot rates remain 38.2% higher than the same period last year. Flatbed led the decline, dropping 2.3% to $3.34 per mile, the largest fall for a comparable week since at least 2008. Dry van rates decreased 2.6% to $2.62 per mile.
Truckstop's Market Demand Index fell 7 points to 127.9 as load availability slipped 2.8% and truck capacity grew 2.6%. The index sits 56.7% above last year's level.
DAT One data for the week of Aug. 9 to 15 showed national load postings down 4% to 2.6 million and equipment posts down 2% to 172,279. Seven-day average broker-to-carrier spot rates including fuel surcharges put flatbed at $3.54 per mile, dry van at $2.93 and refrigerated at $3.38.
DAT Principal Analyst Dean Croke said spot rates across the three major equipment types remain up 34% to 38% year over year, with truck postings down 25% to 30% from 2025 and load volume up 25% to 27%. He described the combination of more freight chasing far fewer trucks as the structural reason rates stay elevated, and tied flatbed softening to seasonal transitions in agriculture and construction.
July's Cass Transportation Index Report showed truckload linehaul rates up 8.6% year over year, the largest increase in four years, while shipment volumes were down 4.8%.
DAT iQ's 35-day forecast projects linehaul rates stabilizing into mid-September, averaging $2.24 per mile for dry van, $2.61 for reefer and $2.65 for flatbed.
Source: Commercial Carrier Journal - https://www.ccjdigital.com/economic-trends/freight-demand/article/15832749/truckload-spot-rates-drop-in-midaugust-after-historic-run