Truckstop.com and FTR's most recent Spot Market Insights showed that each of the four key market indicators increased in week 48. The overall Market Demand Index (MDI) rose by 55.5 points to 107.5 as load availability increased 127% and truck availability rose 9.9%.

Spot Rates Surge After Thanksgiving

• The overall broker-posted spot rate jumped sharply — the biggest weekly increase since March — reaching its highest level since early July.
• Among equipment types, refrigerated (“reefer”) rates surged the most, hitting their highest point since January 2023 (and marking the largest weekly increase since May’s inspection-heavy “Roadcheck” period).
• Flatbed rates also rose — the strongest increase since April — marking their best week in six. 
• Dry van rates climbed solidly as well, reaching their strongest levels since mid-year.

Load Volumes Rebound — Demand Jumps Post-Holiday

• After a steep ~46% drop during Thanksgiving week, total load activity rebounded by 127% in the following week — the strongest showing since May’s Roadcheck week. 
• Compared to last year’s post-Thanksgiving week, volumes were up ~26% (adjusting for the holiday timing). 
• Truck postings rose ~9.9%, and the Market Demand Index (loads-to-trucks ratio) surged to its highest level since the May inspection period — indicating a sharper rebound in demand than in capacity.

Segment-by-Segment Breakdown

Dry-Van

• Rates rose just over 4¢.
• Load volume rebounded ~113%, reaching its highest since November 2023. 
• Volumes were ~140% above 2024’s comparable week, ~22% higher than last year’s post-Thanksgiving week. 

Refrigerated (Reefer)

• Spot rates jumped ~21¢ — roughly 15% above 2024, ~12% above last year’s post-holiday week. 
• Load activity rose ~90%, the busiest since May.

Flatbed

•  Rates increased nearly 4¢. 
•  Loads surged ~154% after a steep holiday drop; volume was ~236% above 2024’s week and ~41% higher than the prior year’s post-Thanksgiving week.

A Note of Caution — Holiday Effects May Be Distorting The Trend

The report notes that holiday-week spikes (or dips) in load volumes and rates can be misleading, often temporary and followed by a return to typical patterns. Hence, while this week’s surge is impressive, analysts and stakeholders should view it as a potential sign of market inflection rather than a guaranteed turnaround.