DAT-Truckload volumes and rates diverged in August 2024-09-18

Sep 17, 2026

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Truckload freight volumes rose while rates fell for the third consecutive month in August, according to DAT Freight & Analytics. The DAT Truckload Volume Index increased for vans, refrigerated (reefer), and flatbeds, with van TVI up 2.8% and reefer TVI up 4.3% month over month. Despite volume gains, spot and contract linehaul rates declined across all equipment types versus July, and load-to-truck ratios dropped, signaling a shifting supply-demand and pricing environment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Truckload volumes rose, rates fell in August

Volume changes by equipment type

Spot and contract rate declines

Load-to-truck ratios and pricing signals

Methodology and index definitions

NEWS RELEASE DAT: Truckload volumes and rates diverged in August 2024-09-18 BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE) --Truckload freight volumes and rates continued on divergent paths in August, with shipments rising and prices falling for the third straight month, said DAT Freight & Analytics, which operates the DAT One freight marketplace and DAT iQ data analytics service. Truckload volumes and rates diverged in August (Graphic: DAT Freight & Analytics) moved in a given month, increased for all three equipment types in August: The DAT Truckload Volume Index (TVI), an indicator of loads Van TVI: 289, up 2.8% month over month Refrigerated TVI: 220, up 4.3% Flatbed TVI: 287, up 0.3% The TVI was higher for both van and refrigerated (“reefer”) freight compared to August 2023. The van TVI was up 6.3%, while the reefer TVI was up 17.6% . The îatbed TVI dipped 0.7% year over year. Meanwhile, August lived up to its reputation as a tough month for truckload rates. “Linehaul rates were year-over-year positive for the írst time since March 2022, a trend that should continue into the fall shipping season,” said Ken Adamo, DAT Chief of Analytics.“However, year-over-year comparisons are little consolation for truckers looking for better pricing now.” Spot and contract rates declined in August National average spot truckload rates declined for all three equipment types compared to July: Spot van: $2.01 per mile, down 5 cents Spot reefer: $2.41 a mile, down 4 cents Spot îatbed: $2.41 a mile, down 7 cents The average van linehaul rate was $1.60 a mile, down 3 cents month over month but 3 cents higher than August 2023. The reefer rate fell 2 cents to $1 .96, 1 cent higher year over year. The îatbed rate tumbled 5 cents to $1 .92, still 2 cents higher year over year. Linehaul rates subtract an amount equal to an average fuel surcharge. National average rates for freight moving under long-term contracts also dropped compared to July: Contract van rate: $2.40 per mile, down 3 cents Contract reefer rate: $2.74 a mile, down 7 cents Contract îatbed rate: $3.08 a mile, down 3 cents Monthly average contract rates for all three equipment types have been year-over-year negative since August 2022, reinforcing the protracted pricing challenges of truckload carriers. Approximately 85% of all truckload freight moves under contract. Load-to-truck ratios fell National average load-to-truck ratios turned lower for all three equipment types: Van ratio: 3. 6, down from 4.2 in July, meaning there were 3.6 loads for every van truck on the DAT One marketplace Reefer ratio: 6.0, down from 6.5 Flatbed ratio: 9.8, down from 11.9 Load-to-truck ratios reîect truckload supply and demand on the DAT One marketplace and indicate the pricing environment for spot truckload freight. About the DAT Truckload Volume Index The DAT Truckload Volume Index reîects the change in the number of loads with a pickup date during that month. A baseline of 100 equals the number of loads moved in January 2015, as recorded in DAT RateView, a truckload pricing database and analysis tool with rates paid on an average of 3 million loads per month. DAT benchmark spot rates are derived from invoice data for hauls of 250 miles or more with a pickup date during the month reported. Linehaul rates subtract an amount equal to an average fuel surcharge. About DAT Freight & Analytics DAT Freight & Analytics operates the largest truckload freight marketplace and truckload freight data analytics service in North America. Shippers, transportation brokers, carriers, news organizations, and industry analysts rely on DAT for market trends and data insights based on more than 400 million annual freight matches and a database of $150 billion in annual freight market transactions. Founded in 1978, DAT is a business unit of Roper Technologies (Nasdaq: ROP), a constituent of the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and Fortune 1000. DAT is headquartered in

FAQs

How did truckload volumes and rates move during August?

Volumes increased while prices fell for the third straight month. Shipments rose and rates declined in August compared with prior months.

What were the August changes in the DAT Truckload Volume Index (TVI)?

TVI increased for van, refrigerated (reefer), and flatbed in August. Van TVI rose 2.8% month over month, reefer TVI rose 4.3%, and flatbed TVI rose 0.3%.

How did spot and contract rates change compared to July?

National average spot truckload rates declined for all three equipment types versus July, and contract rates also dropped. The declines were reported for van, reefer, and flatbed linehaul rates.

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Aldword