Broadly speaking, spot market rates were up last week on DAT Load Boards following the previous month’s volume increases. Volumes fell last week, however, no doubt due to Hurricane Matthew as load posts dropped at the end of the week.
The impact of the Hanjin bankruptcy continued, boosting demand for trucks on the West Coast. Los Angeles was the top market for van load posts again last week, and by a large margin. Rates are still elevated on long-haul lanes heading east from L.A., due to the bankruptcy fallout. The average rate on the cross-country trip from L.A. to Elizabeth, N.J., hit $1.74/mile.