Spot truckload volumes rose in March, driven by a significant increase in flatbed freight, according to data from DAT Freight & Analytics.
The DAT Truckload Volume Index, which measures monthly load movements for dry van, refrigerated, and flatbed equipment, showed month-over-month gains across all categories. The flatbed index climbed 13% to 316, while van and reefer volumes rose 5% and 1%, respectively.
Year-over-year, the index remained in positive territory, with flatbed freight up 11% compared to March 2024.
Flatbed spot rates also increased, averaging $2.53 per mile—up 8 cents from February—while van and reefer rates declined for the third consecutive month. Van spot rates averaged $1.99 per mile, down 5 cents, and reefer rates fell 9 cents to $2.27 per mile.
“Tariff uncertainty and tighter capacity both played a role,” said Ken Adamo, chief of analytics at DAT. He noted that about 30% of flatbed freight moves on the spot market, a much higher share than for vans or reefers, making it more sensitive to shifts in availability.
Contract rates held relatively steady but declined slightly across all three equipment types compared to both February and the same period last year. The gap between spot and contract rates for vans and reefers widened for the second month in a row.
Contract van rates averaged $2.40 per mile in March, down 3 cents month-over-month, while reefer and flatbed contract rates fell to $2.72 and $3.04, respectively.
Despite the spot market rebound, shippers and brokers maintained pricing leverage, Adamo said. He added that future rate changes may hinge on tariffs or geopolitical developments that disrupt supply chains and drive more volume into the spot market.
DAT Freight & Analytics operates DAT One, a major North American freight marketplace, and DAT iQ, a freight analytics platform. The Truckload Volume Index is based on invoice and load movement data and uses January 2015 as its baseline.
For more data and insights, visit dat.com.
