Flatbed rates take a tumble on spot market, while reefer and van hold

Per-mile rates on the spot market for reefer and dry van loads were nearly unchanged in October from September, according to averages from Truckstop.com. Flatbed rates, however, fell 16 cents in the month, to $2.56 a mile.

Reefer and van rates both gained a penny a mile, pushing reefer rates to a national average of $2.59 a mile and dry van rates to $2.38 a mile.

The gains end a three-month skid for both segments. After peaking in June, both reefer and van rates have tumbled in the months since.

However, rates in both segments in October were still up year over year. Compared to October 2017, reefer rates were up 34 cents a mile, and dry van rates were up 12 cents a mile.

Flatbed’s per-mile average was also up 12 cents from the same month last year.