Freight Market Snapshot (10.11.26 - 10.17.26)
Van Rates: The Van load-to-truck ratio slipped 23.4% to 10.5 following the post-quarter-end volume cooldown. Despite volume easing, linehaul spot rates gained $0.05/mile to average $2.26/mile ($3.12/mile all-in), demonstrating strong baseline price resilience.
Flatbed Rates: Flatbed load-to-truck ratios moderated 17.0% to 36.6 (down from 44.1 prior), yet the segment remains the tightest in the market. Linehaul spot rates edged up $0.01/mile to $2.65/mile ($3.68/mile all-in), holding steady pricing power.
Reefer Rates: Reefer load-to-truck ratios dropped 22.2% to 16.8 (down from 21.6) as harvest pushes normalized. Still, linehaul rates picked up $0.06/mile to $2.75/mile ($3.68/mile all-in), reflecting firm temperature-controlled demand into Q4.
Fuel Prices: Fuel prices dipped 0.3% this week, with the national EIA diesel average sitting at $6.18 per gallon (down $0.02 vs. the prior week and down ~$0.18 over the past month), helping trim carrier operating surcharges.
CAPACITY TRENDS
Van: Capacity loosened post-quarter-end as load postings dropped 20%, but linehaul rates gained 5 cents, signaling a solid floor under pricing.
Flatbed: Capacity eased on lower post-September load volume, yet ratios remain well above historical averages with linehaul rates holding flat-to-up.
Reefer: Capacity loosened following peak harvest runs, but steady linehaul rate gains reflect a tight balance heading into Q4 food distribution.
MARKET OVERVIEW
This week’s freight market saw total spot load postings fall 18.0% to 33.9% across indices as quarter-end freight cleared, while truck postings rose 4.0% to 4.9% (lowering the FreightPulse national LTR to 5.44). Across all major trailer types, underlying linehaul spot rates held firm or ticked upward, even as a slight dip in national diesel prices ($6.18/gal) eased total all-in costs. Overall, linehaul rates sit nearly 30% higher year-over-year, keeping market fundamentals disciplined and carrier-supportive.
Let's connect if you have questions about how these trends impact your freight strategy! Our team is here to help you navigate shifting conditions and optimize your supply chain.
Data Source Attribution Breakdown
FreightPulse: Macro National Load-to-Truck Ratio (5.44), Truck Posting Surge (+62.4% day-over-day), and weekly Diesel Surcharge benchmark ($6.18/gal).
DAT One & Truckstop / FTR Intel: Segment LTRs (Van 10.5, Flatbed 36.6, Reefer 16.8), linehaul rate changes (+5¢ Van, +1¢ Flatbed, +6¢ Reefer), and post-quarter volume adjustments.
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Special Projects & Real world visualizer
¶ Real world visualization via USD Explorer ( Nvidia Omniverse ) to help with warehousing storage and creating a better flow based on Supply and Demand - Outbound : Combine partial orders into one truck, displays how to re-layer pallets and improves loading/unloading efficiency. Inbound : Integrate sales/purchasing database with ICQA and determine highest IN/OUT SKU → remapping usable warehouse space to create more efficient flow, low moving sku’s or long term projects in Inbound/Receiving Area, high moving SKU’s closest to outbound dock and special scenarios like partial pallets stored in floor pick through area easily accessible. Class code mapping and rules for rack projects, save time on pick waves and know exactly what is in your warehouse top to bottom.
