TransCore on Monday, Oct. 17, announced that its September North American Freight Index rose 3.2 percent compared to August and 45 percent compared to September 2010. September marked the highest same-month spot market freight availability since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The month-over-month increase from August to September follows typical seasonal patterns.
Alongside the increase in spot market freight volumes, truckload freight rates rose in September for all equipment types. National average rates increased 2.3 percent for dry vans compared to August and 3.9 percent compared to September 2010, excluding fuel surcharge. Refrigerated van rates were up 1.3 percent versus August and 2.1 percent compared to September 2010. Flatbed rates were stable month-over-month with a 0.6 percent increase compared to August, but that segment gained 10.2 percent year-over-year due to high demand.
TransCore’s monthly North American Freight Index reflects spot market freight availability on the company’s network of load boards in the United States and Canada.