National average truckload spot rates declined in the middle of August 2026 after an extended run higher, though they remain far above where they stood a year earlier.

DAT reported national average linehaul rates, which exclude fuel surcharges, at $2.72 per mile for flatbed freight, a drop of 7 cents. Dry van linehaul averaged $2.25 per mile, down 3 cents, and refrigerated linehaul averaged $2.63 per mile.

Broker to carrier spot rates including fuel surcharge ran higher across all three equipment types. Seven day averages put flatbed at $3.54 per mile, dry van at $2.93 per mile and refrigerated at $3.38 per mile.

Despite the weekly pullback, total spot rates across the market stood 38.2 percent above the same period in 2025. The DAT iQ 35 day forecast projects rates will stabilize through the middle of September at roughly 60 cents above year ago levels, with van averaging $2.24 per mile, reefer at $2.61 and flatbed at $2.65.

The contract market told a different story earlier in the summer. DAT reported that contract van and reefer rates posted record June to July gains, widening the gap between what shippers pay under committed agreements and what the spot market clears at week to week.

Rate movement in the second half of August reflects the typical late summer softening that follows produce season, layered on top of a market where capacity has continued to exit.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal - https://www.ccjdigital.com/economic-trends/freight-demand/article/15832749/truckload-spot-rates-drop-in-midaugust-after-historic-run