In The News

As Fuel Declines, Truckload Rates Remain Steady

As fuel costs fell last week, truckload rates remained steady across all major equipment types, according to a report by DAT.

From Sept. 21-27 the price of gas fell two cents to a national average of $3.76. Diesel fuel is currently 17.2 cents cheaper than it was a year ago. This has a dampening affect on market truckload rates, according the DAT.

Refrigerated freight spot rate averages were unchanged compared to the previous week at $2.33 per mile. Rates declined in Central California and the Midwest but gained strength in other areas because of late-season produce harvests. The reefer load-to-truck ratio was 8.8 due to a decline in reefer freight availability.

Flatbed rates were also unchanged at $2.39 per mile. Load availability declined 2.2% and capacity was stable resulting in a 2.4% decline in load-to-truck ratio which remains strong for the season at 29.3 loads per truck.

Dry van rates fell by one cent to $2.02 per mile but remained above $2.00 for the entire month. There was a ratio of 3 van loads per truck  which was a 3.6% decline from the previous week.

Load-to-truck ratios are a sensitive, real-time indicator of the balance between spot market demand and capacity and changes to that number often signal impending changes in rates, according to DAT.

For more information click here.

www.TruckingInfo.com