Spot truckload rates in the United States moved higher through May 2026 as produce season lifted demand for refrigerated capacity. The average refrigerated spot rate rose to 3.35 dollars per mile in May, and as of May 19 reefer freight averaged 3.26 dollars per mile, about 14 cents above the April average.

Regional spreads were wide. Refrigerated rates were highest in the South at an average of 3.39 dollars per mile, while the Northeast posted the lowest average at 2.56 dollars per mile. The reefer load-to-truck ratio, a measure of available loads against available trucks, jumped to 20.39 in May from 13.47 in April, signaling tighter capacity.

Dry van rates also firmed. The dry van load-to-truck ratio climbed to 11.12 from 7.49 a month earlier, and the average dry van spot rate rose to 2.89 dollars per mile. May closed with spot rates near multi-year highs across dry van, reefer, and flatbed segments.

Other market signals pointed to a tighter environment for shippers. Available truck postings stayed near decade lows, and tender rejections held above 10 percent for more than 60 consecutive days. Diesel prices, meanwhile, began their first sustained decline of the year, easing one cost pressure for carriers even as rates climbed.

Source: FreightWaves - https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fuel-costs-up-rates-inching-and-reefers-still-showing-promise-what-to-watch-this-week