Spot market truckload freight rates rose across every major equipment category heading into the Labor Day weekend, marking the first time since May that all segments recorded week-over-week price gains.
The broad-based rally came even as overall freight volumes softened, driven instead by persistent capacity constraints and surging in diesel prices.
"Capacity came back, but only some of it," said Dean Croke, industry analyst at DAT Freight & Analytics, pointing out that carriers re-entered the market following an inspection blitz by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. "Even so, truck availability is down double digits from last year for every equipment type. At 178,484, total equipment posts were still the lowest Week 36 figure in DAT's records."
Data from Truckstop and FTR Transportation Intelligence showed that overall spot market rates rose 1.7% to $3.22 per mile for the week ending Sept. 4. Refrigerated freight led all categories with a 3.8% increase to $3.60 per mile, while dry van rates climbed 3.5% to $2.71. Specialized equipment rates gained 2.6% to $3.34, and flatbed rates grew 0.9% to $3.31—notching their first weekly increase in three months.
Figures from DAT Freight & Analytics for the seven-day period through Sept. 5 similarly reflected rising all-in broker-to-carrier spot rates. On DAT One, dry van rates rose 6 cents to $2.95 per mile, refrigerated rates gained 9 cents to $3.54 per mile, and flatbed rates added 4 cents to $3.54 per mile.
The rate gains occurred despite a dip in spot load postings across multiple networks. Truckstop’s Market Demand Index fell 6.6 points to 133.8 as available loads fell 6.9%, while DAT One recorded a 3% drop in overall load posts to just under 3 million.
A logistics update from freight brokerage TRAFFIX highlighted that tender rejections climbed back to approximately 14.4%, giving carriers pricing leverage over which loads they accept. Truckload freight volumes held 4% to 5% below last year's levels, while rail intermodal volume ran 6% to 7% higher year-over-year as shippers sought relief on long-haul lanes.
Higher costs
Surging retail diesel prices have added pricing pressure to all-in freight bills. According to DAT, diesel jumped 19.8 cents per gallon during the week to $5.652, rising nearly 40 cents over two weeks and directly driving fuel surcharge increases across every trailer type.
Compared to the same period in 2025, freight costs remain dramatically higher. Spot rates on Truckstop are up 38.7% year over year, with flatbed leading annual gains at 41.3%, refrigerated up 37.3%, and dry van up 36.5%.
With peak shipping season approaching, lingering fuel volatility could disrupt traditional post-holiday rate declines and shippers could elect to increase lead times and evaluate intermodal options for flexible freight.
