Van, flatbed rates flat in September, reefer rates tumble

Spot market rates for van and flatbed segments were mostly unchanged in September, according to monthly rate data from Truckstop.com, while reefer rates fell a dime from the month prior.

Per-mile rates on the spot market remain well below levels seen in 2014 and 2015, as diesel press fell off and freight slowed down late last year.

Paid rates — verified rate averages paid to carriers by brokers and shippers — for van haulers fell a cent in the month, according to Truckstop.com data, to $1.89 a mile. Compared to the same month last year, van rates were down 17 cents:

Flatbed rates in the month gained a penny, climbing to $2.04 a mile. However, flatbed rates were down 14 cents from last September:

Reefer rates in September took a dive, falling to $2.05 a mile, down 10 cents from August. Reefer rates were down 20 cents from September 2015: