Indicators: Flatbed rates soar as spring freight season comes on, reefer and van hold strong

Rates on the spot market remained strong in March, with flatbed soaring to its highest per-mile average in at least even years, according to monthly rates data from Truckstop.com, likely due to the onset of flatbed’s annual strong spring freight season. Rates have been hovering near record highs since the beginning of 2018, following big gains throughout the last half of 2017.

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Flatbed rates in March climbed 8 cents a mile from February to $2.57 a mile — the segment’s highest average since Truckstop.com began documenting rates in 2011. Compared to last March, per-mile rates were up 41 cents, according to Truckstop.com’s data.

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Reefer rates in March were unchanged from February, holding at $2.48 a mile. Compared to the same month last year, reefer rates were up 50 cents a mile.

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Dry van rates in March gained 2 cents a mile from February, pushing the segment to a $2.38 a mile average.