TransCore said its North American Freight Index climbed 36 percent last month compared to November 2010, the third consecutive month with the highest same-month volume since 2005. Compared to October, spot market freight volume slipped 4.4 percent, a normal seasonal trend. Spot market freight volume has declined in November since the company established the Index in 1996, with the historical average decline being 15 percent.
TransCore’s monthly North American Freight Index reflects spot market freight availability on the company’s network of load boards. Rate information also is provided by TransCore’s Truckload Rate Index and reflects linehaul rates, excluding fuel surcharge.
Truckload freight rates increased year-over-year on the spot market in November for all equipment types. When compared to October, rates rose for dry van and refrigerated in November, but declined for flatbeds. Dry van rates rose 6.3 percent compared to November 2010 and increased 0.7 percent compared to October. Refrigerated van rates rose 3.0 percent year-over-year and 1.9 percent month-over-month. National average rates for flatbeds increased 6.4 percent compared to the same month in 2010 but declined 4.0 percent compared to October.
