Rates Slide but Prices Still High

Over the past month of July, one of the most noteworthy trends to keep in mind with DAT trends is that van rates have fallen while overall volumes have remained similar over the past few weeks. In the month of July, spot market load rates rose slightly while flatbed load-to-truck, van load-to-truck, and reefer load-to truck percentages have all fallen slightly. Among the three, reefer load-to-truck percentages fell the most significantly and spot market loads dropped in the month of July in comparison to the month of June.

National Van Rates Drop an Average of 6 Cents

When analyzing the results from statistics from early August, it is seen that rates have continued to slide for not only vans, but also flatbeds and reefers as well. Nevertheless, prices remain relatively high. Prices are still around 20 percent more for this year than they were at the same time last year. From August 5 through August 11, van truck loads declined by a total of one percent. Over the same time, truck posts overall enjoyed a 2 percent increase over the previous week.

For the week of August 5 to August 11, the national load-to-truck ratio went down to 6.9 loads per truck. In monetary terms, the average on van rates across the nation went down a total of six cents.

Drop in Load-to-Truck Ratios

Freight volumes are holding steady for vans even though all three equipment types- vans, reefers, and flatbeds- have seen a notable drop in load-to-truck ratios in early August.

Slightly Lower Fuel Prices

Fuel prices dropped slightly throughout the month of July and in early August. However, they have risen notably over the fuel prices that were seen in July of 2017.

Flatbeds Seeing Highest Rates

Across the board, rates are highest for flatbeds. Higher rates are seen with reefers than with vans. Van spot rates dropped by around 0.9 percent in the month of July. Meanwhile, both flatbed and reefer spot rates dropped by 1.8 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively.

Van Load-to-Truck Ratio 41% Higher than Last Year

Previously, the van load-to truck ratio had been at a record high in comparison to loads per truck. The ratio seen in July 2018 for van load per truck was 41 percent higher than that which was seen in July 2017. 

Van and Flatbed Spot Rates Drop

Van spot rates were at $2.33 on July 21 and dropped to $2.18 by the eleventh of August. Flatbed spot rates also dropped between July 21 and August 11. On July 21, they were at $2.79 while they dropped to $2.69 by August 11.