Recent spikes in spot freight rates have caught the trucking industry’s attention, especially as carriers search for signs that the longest freight downturn on record may finally be ending. Data from Truckstop.com, FTR Transportation Intelligence, and DAT Freight & Analytics shows that spot rates surged in late November and December, particularly for refrigerated and dry van freight. While the numbers appear encouraging, analysts caution that short-term seasonal factors may be inflating optimism. Following Thanksgiving, broker-posted spot rates rose more than expected. Refrigerated freight hit its strongest levels since January 2023, while dry van spot rates posted their best year-over-year comparison since early 2022. Truckstop.com also reported an unusually strong spot market heading into the week before Christmas, a period that typically softens. At the same time, truck postings declined while load postings increased slightly, pushing the Market Demand Index to its highest point since May’s International Roadcheck. Despite… ...[TheTopNews] Read More.
6 days ago
