For week 12 in the truckstop.com and FTR Transportation Intelligence spot market report, each of the four key market indicators increased. The overall Market Demand Index (MDI) rose by 5.9 points to 178.1 as load availability increased 4.1% and truck availability rose 0.7%. Compared to last year the MDI is up 68.9 points, or 63.0%. Last week, market rates rose 4.0% to $2.97. Compared to last year, rates are up 22.9%. National fuel prices edged up $0.30 cents to $5.32 from $5.02 per gallon in the previous week.

Weekly Market Commentary

Spot rates rise very sharply again in the latest week

The ongoing surge in diesel prices continued to bolster broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop.com system during the week ended March 27 (week 12). Both the total market rate and flatbed spot rates posted their largest increases ever in a non-holiday week. Dry van and flatbed spot rates were the highest since the summer of 2022 even excluding the portion needed to recover fuel costs. Refrigerated spot rates were the highest since late 2022 aside from recent holiday and weather distortions.

Van

For the Dry Van market, 3 of the 4 key market indicators increased in the latest week. The Van MDI increased 21.8 points to 226.1 as load availability rose 7.8% and truck availability fell 2.6%. Compared to last year the MDI is up 122.1 points, or 117.3%. Last week, Van rates increased 4.5% to $2.50. Compared to last year, rates are up 35.0%.

Reefer

For the Refrigerated market, 2 of the 4 key market indicators increased in the latest week. The Refrigerated MDI fell 22.3 points to 258.7 as load availability decreased 5.5% and truck availability increased 2.7%. Compared to last year the MDI is up 137.4 points, or 113.2%. Last week, Refrigerated rates rose 1.5% to $2.99. Compared to last year, rates are up 43.6%.

Flat

For the Flatbed market, 4 of the 4 key market indicators increased in the latest week. The Flatbed MDI rose 2.6 points to 290.7 as load availability increased 3.1% and truck availability rose 2.2%. Compared to last year the MDI is up 118.0 points, or 68.3%. Last week, Flatbed rates increased 4.4% to $3.04. Compared to last year, rates are up 21.5%.

Specialized

For the Specialized market, 4 of the 4 key market indicators increased in the latest week. The Specialized MDI increased 4.1 points to 36.2 as load availability moved higher by 13.2% and truck availability rose 0.4%. Compared to last year the MDI is up 6.1 points, or 20.4%. Last week, Specialized rates rose 3.7% to $3.06. Compared to last year, rates are up 17.8%.