Freight rates
Contract dry van rates pull ahead of spot freight
· Source: FreightWaves
FreightWaves reports that U.S. Bank’s latest rates index puts August contract dry van linehaul at $2.39 per mile, compared with $2.17 for spot freight. The 22-cent gap reverses June’s pattern, while higher fuel surcharges add pressure to transportation costs.
Summary and practical context by RoadHouse Recruiting · Reviewed
Added
Later market coverage adds a fuel-cost explanation
FreightWaves’ October 3 analysis identifies a divergence between accepted contract tenders and fuel-inclusive spot rates, and argues that fuel-cost pressure may contribute. This is later market commentary, not a revision of the original monthly figures. The new report and the earlier story use different periods and measures. Read the related analysis for those distinctions.
Source: FreightWaves SONAR analysis (opens in a new tab)How the rate gap developed
The report covers June through August. Spot linehaul fell from $2.38 per mile in June to $2.35 in July and $2.17 in August. Contract linehaul moved from $2.30 to $2.38 and then $2.39. Fuel surcharges reached $0.70 per mile in August, compared with $0.62 in July. Including fuel, the reported August averages were $2.87 for spot and $3.09 for contract freight.
Why a stronger rate may not mean a stronger week
RoadHouse perspective: revenue depends on both the rate and the amount of paid work. Compare loaded miles, empty repositioning, waiting time, and costs before interpreting a rate increase. A monthly national average cannot tell you how consistently a specific account will run. Ask which figures in an offer are guaranteed and which depend on freight availability.
Understanding the update
Contract and spot freight represent different ways of securing capacity. This report describes the market for freight services, so the figures should not be read as a driver’s cents-per-mile pay offer. A higher freight rate also does not automatically translate into higher take-home earnings.
What it means for drivers and carriers
Compare linehaul and fuel separately when evaluating freight revenue. These are freight rates, not driver wage rates.
Questions to consider
- Are the quoted rates linehaul-only or do they include fuel?
- How does the freight mix affect revenue and costs on the account?
- What mileage and pay terms apply to the driver’s actual offer?
Read the original reporting
This page provides an original summary and practical commentary. The linked source contains the full reporting. Older stories reflect information available on their published dates.
Read the source at FreightWaves ↗ (opens in a new tab)