It looks like we'll have to wait a little longer for a spring surge. The spot market appeared heading for a rebound early in March, but a number of unexpected events have kept rates in check. Flooding in the Midwest closed roads and rail lines, which will impact freight markets for weeks to come. There was also a major tank fire in Houston last week, which added further disruption.
The reefer segment is showing signs of life in California and in the border area of Nogales, AZ. The flatbed segment is the strongest of the three, with solid demand and load-to-truck ratios that have climbed over the past few weeks.
The van load-to-truck ratio declined last week to 1.4 loads per truck.
National Average Freight Rates - March to-date
- Van: $1.87/mile
- Reefer: $2.19/mile
- Flatbed: $2.34/mile
Van trends
We may need to wait for April for real spring freight to hit. On the top 100 van lanes last week, rates increased on only 35 lanes, while 54 were down and 11 were neutral. But despite all the bad news about weather and other disasters, freight volumes are actually up year-over-year.
Rising rates
Freight volumes were higher coming out of both Los Angeles and Atlanta, but it wasn't enough to boost rates. Still it's a hopeful sign that things are moving toward normality.
- Allentown to Richmond, VA bumped up 11¢ to $2.41/mi.
- Atlanta to Memphis gained 7¢ to $1.64/mi. — still, not a great rate into a headhaul market
Falling rates
The Columbus and Chicago markets have both been big losers during March, a month which normally sees the Midwest come back to life. Seattle has been a more active market but rates are now trending down, even as Los Angeles starts to stabilize.
- Seattle to Eugene fell 28¢ to $2.37/mi. in the week before spring break at the University of Oregon
- Stockton to Salt Lake City dropped 15¢ to $2.39/mi. as I-70 reopened for business
- Memphis to Atlanta moved down 15¢ to $2.31/mi. as flood waters headed down river
Reefer trends
California is emerging as a bright spot in spot market freight, as volume is building in the Golden State’s agricultural markets. A 23% increase in loads moved out of Fresno was led by a surge of freight on the lane from there to Seattle, coupled with a 17-cent boost to the average rate per mile.
Load-to-truck ratios stayed low for reefer freight last week, despite an increase in volume out of California and Arizona. That lone dark spot on the U.S. map is Green River, Wyoming, where a few dozen load posts overwhelmed an even smaller number of truck posts.
Rising Rates
Freight volume also rose sharply out of Nogales, AZ, with a 3-cent average rate increase on major outbound lanes. And in the Midwest, Grand Rapids is starting to pick up, likely thanks to egg shipments in the run-up to Easter. Also some lanes are showing signs of life out of Green Bay.
- Nogales to Los Angeles jumped 23¢ to $2.56/mi.
- Grand Rapids to Cleveland increased 29¢ to $4.14/mi.
- Fresno to Seattle gained 17¢ to $2.57/mi
- Denver to Houston rebounded 16¢ to $1.92/mi
Falling rates
Slipping markets included Lakeland, FL, where both volumes and rate tumbled. Rates were also lower out of Twin Falls, ID, and McAllen, TX.
- Grand Rapids to Philadelphia dropped 35¢ to $2.86/mi.
- Lakeland to Baltimore was down 20¢ to $1.68/mi.
- Twin Falls to Los Angeles fell 18¢ to $2.08/mi.
- Green Bay to Des Moines dipped 13¢ to $2.36/mi.
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