DAT: Truckload volumes and rates diverged in August

Truckload volumes and rates diverged in August (Graphic: DAT Freight & Analytics)
The DAT Truckload Volume Index (TVI), an indicator of loads moved in a given month, increased for all three equipment types in August:
-
Van TVI: 289, up
2.8% month over month -
Refrigerated TVI: 220, up
4.3% -
Flatbed TVI: 287, up
0.3%
The TVI was higher for both van and refrigerated (“reefer”) freight compared to August 2023. The van TVI was up
Meanwhile, August lived up to its reputation as a tough month for truckload rates.
“Linehaul rates were year-over-year positive for the first time since March 2022, a trend that should continue into the fall shipping season,” said Ken Adamo, DAT Chief of Analytics. “However, year-over-year comparisons are little consolation for truckers looking for better pricing now.”
Spot and contract rates declined in August
National average spot truckload rates declined for all three equipment types compared to July:
-
Spot van:
per mile, down$2.01 5 cents -
Spot reefer:
a mile, down$2.41 4 cents -
Spot flatbed:
a mile, down$2.41 7 cents
The average van linehaul rate was
National average rates for freight moving under long-term contracts also dropped compared to July:
-
Contract van rate:
per mile, down$2.40 3 cents -
Contract reefer rate:
a mile, down$2.74 7 cents -
Contract flatbed rate:
a mile, down$3.08 3 cents
Monthly average contract rates for all three equipment types have been year-over-year negative since August 2022, reinforcing the protracted pricing challenges of truckload carriers. Approximately
Load-to-truck ratios fell
National average load-to-truck ratios turned lower for all three equipment types:
- Van ratio: 3.6, down from 4.2 in July, meaning there were 3.6 loads for every van truck on the DAT One marketplace
- Reefer ratio: 6.0, down from 6.5
- Flatbed ratio: 9.8, down from 11.9
Load-to-truck ratios reflect truckload supply and demand on the DAT One marketplace and indicate the pricing environment for spot truckload freight.
About the DAT Truckload Volume Index
The DAT Truckload Volume Index reflects the change in the number of loads with a pickup date during that month. A baseline of 100 equals the number of loads moved in January 2015, as recorded in DAT RateView, a truckload pricing database and analysis tool with rates paid on an average of 3 million loads per month.
DAT benchmark spot rates are derived from invoice data for hauls of 250 miles or more with a pickup date during the month reported. Linehaul rates subtract an amount equal to an average fuel surcharge.
About DAT Freight & Analytics
DAT Freight & Analytics operates the largest truckload freight marketplace and truckload freight data analytics service in
Founded in 1978, DAT is a business unit of Roper Technologies (Nasdaq: ROP), a constituent of the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and Fortune 1000. DAT is headquartered in
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DAT Contact
Annabel Reeves
PR@dat.com / annabel.reeves@dat.com; 503-501-0143
Source: DAT Freight & Analytics