Spot Rates Rise Very Sharply Again In The Latest Week

Data from Truckstop.com and FTR Transportation Intelligence for the week ended March 27 show a spot market that continues to strengthen significantly, even as soaring diesel prices offset a substantial portion of those gains for carriers.

 In the latest week, broker-posted spot rates for flatbed equipment recorded one of the largest increases on record and were at their highest level since August 2022.

 The big increase in dry van spot rates has put them at their highest since June 2022.

 Aside from a few recent outliers in late December and the major winter storm in late January, refrigerated spot rates are at their highest level since the end of 2022.

 Dry van and refrigerated spot rates are very strong compared with the same 2025 period, even when excluding the portion of rates required for carriers to recover escalating fuel costs. Flatbed rates are not as strong year over year, but that is primarily because of unusually strong rates during the same period last year.

 Total load postings rose to their highest level since June 2022. With only a small increase in truck postings, the Market Demand Index rose to 178.1, the highest level since February 2022.