US truckload spot rates surged to an all-time high of $3.83 per mile in early June 2026, surpassing the pandemic-era freight boom peak of roughly $3.50 to $3.60 per mile, according to DAT market data. The spike capped a steady climb that began late in 2025.

Spot rates averaged $2.01 per mile in February, up from $1.65 the previous November. By April, van rates reached $2.68 per mile, flatbed $3.46, and reefer $3.12. Contract rates rose in parallel, with the February contract average at $2.12 and van contract rates reaching $2.72 by March.

The gap between contract and spot pricing narrowed sharply, falling to about $0.11 per mile by March from roughly $0.39 a year earlier. That compression signals a tightening market where spot pricing catches up to negotiated contract levels.

Fuel costs added pressure. The national average diesel price stood at $5.07 per gallon in April, about $1.52 higher than a year earlier, driving up fuel surcharges for carriers and shippers. Regional differences persisted, with flatbed spot rates highest in the Midwest near $3.22 per mile and lowest in the Northeast around $2.42.

Analysts at U.S. Bank and DAT described the early-2026 movement as a modest uptick that accelerated into a broader surge by midyear.

Source: DAT - https://www.dat.com/trendlines