Spot market rates finally respond after weeks of major-market load volume improvement

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Load volume has been increasing for weeks on the spot market, DAT reports, and rates finally responded in reefer and dry van segments last week. Van rates rose 7 cents per mile, compared to the April average, and reefers added 11 cents. Flatbed rates rose just a penny, however, following a similar increase in national-average fuel surcharge.

At once, loads are readily available for all equipment types in the Sun Belt states, and rates are rising steeply in the Southeast and California. “Freight and rates are picking up pretty much all over the country,” notes DAT’s Ken Harper, “but lanes favoring carriers (more than 3 loads per truck) are in the Southern “belly band,” from South Carolina/Georgia over to California. This is true regardless of equipment type.”

The Southeast region was home to four of the top five markets for outbound loads and rising rates for dry vans: Atlanta; Charlotte, N.C.; Greenville, S.C.; and Lakeland, Fla. Houston rounded out the Top Five, and van rates are also trending up in Los Angeles and Stockton, Calif.The Southeast region was home to four of the top five markets for outbound loads and rising rates for dry vans: Atlanta; Charlotte, N.C.; Greenville, S.C.; and Lakeland, Fla. Houston rounded out the Top Five, and van rates are also trending up in Los Angeles and Stockton, Calif. Reefer rates shot up 11 cents per mile last week compared to April averages. Reefer loads are available, rates are rising, and load-to-truck ratios are high in the Sun Belt states, from California east to Georgia and the Carolinas. Lakeland, Fla., is still active, but there is no shortage of trucks there. Atlanta is a top market for outbound reefer loads, and Tifton, Ga., is expected to start shipping peaches in the coming weeks.Reefer rates shot up 11 cents per mile last week compared to April averages. Reefer loads are available, rates are rising, and load-to-truck ratios are high in the Sun Belt states, from California east to Georgia and the Carolinas. Lakeland, Fla., is still active, but there is no shortage of trucks there. Atlanta is a top market for outbound reefer loads, and Tifton, Ga., is expected to start shipping peaches in the coming weeks. Reefer rates shot up 11 cents per mile last week compared to April averages. Reefer loads are available, rates are rising, and load-to-truck ratios are high in the Sun Belt states, from California east to Georgia and the Carolinas. Lakeland, Fla., is still active, but there is no shortage of trucks there. Atlanta is a top market for outbound reefer loads, and Tifton, Ga., is expected to start shipping peaches in the coming weeks.Reefer rates shot up 11 cents per mile last week compared to April averages. Reefer loads are available, rates are rising, and load-to-truck ratios are high in the Sun Belt states, from California east to Georgia and the Carolinas. Lakeland, Fla., is still active, but there is no shortage of trucks there. Atlanta is a top market for outbound reefer loads, and Tifton, Ga., is expected to start shipping peaches in the coming weeks. Flatbed demand hit a plateau last week, and rates edged up just a cent over April’s average. Freight and rates are holding up in Dallas and nearby Fort Worth, as well as lower-volume markets like Phoenix and Jacksonville, Fla. Other flatbed markets have been unexpectedly weak this spring. Outbound freight has been disappointing in Rock Island, Ill.; Baltimore; Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Roanoke, Va.Flatbed demand hit a plateau last week, and rates edged up just a cent over April’s average. Freight and rates are holding up in Dallas and nearby Fort Worth, as well as lower-volume markets like Phoenix and Jacksonville, Fla. Other flatbed markets have been unexpectedly weak this spring. Outbound freight has been disappointing in Rock Island, Ill.; Baltimore; Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Roanoke, Va.