Spot market

Recession likely still inbound in months ahead but freight outlook less pessimistic
Freight brokers near evenly spit on spot rate outlook but far less optimistic on contract rates.
February 13, 2023
Trucks at a dock
Rates end 2022 on a high note, signaling 'bottoming process' underway
While market conditions remain broadly loose, there are increasingly signs of slowing supply – a key to the bottoming process, according to experts.
January 17, 2023
Trucks at the dock
Gap between contract, spot rates narrowing
Shippers are trading lower contract rates for giving carriers more loads and better lane density.
January 2, 2023
truck backing into dock
Trucking in 2023: Recession uncertain, driver shortage shows balance
A recent CCJ webinar, sponsored by Bestpass, discussed the market forces, business conditions and supply chain issues that will impact carrier operations in 2023.
November 11, 2022
CCJ webinar participants
Unlike prior storms Hurricane Ian delivers 'more regional impact' on loads and rates
Preexisting market conditions help turn Category 4 Hurricane Ian into more of a regional event as national freight averages remain 'virtually unchanged.'
October 4, 2022
Coast Guard Port of Jacksonville Hurricane Ian
Freight disruption likely for Florida coast as HOS waivers issued ahead of hurricane landfall
Inbound volumes are likely to pick up immediately in the Tampa Bay area after Hurricane Ian moves in, with outbound lagging 'a week or two.'
September 27, 2022
The National Weather Service forecasts Hurricane Ian to be a major hurricane in the eastern Gulf of Mexico during the middle of this week.
Rail strike impact on road freight would be 'quick,' 'immediate'
The last two rail work-stoppages, 30 years ago, combined to last for three days before Congressional action ended them both.
September 14, 2022
Semi tanker truck
Possible rail strike could be 'polar vortex-level shock to the freight market'
A looming railroad strike could have a historically significant impact on the U.S. economy and will influence every on-highway transport mode to some degree.
September 12, 2022
white semi-truck and train
Parade helps brokers and carriers benefit from carrier reuse
Parade's software offers carriers new business leads and more consistent freight opportunities by building relationships with brokers.
May 19, 2022
semi on the highway
Despite softening spot rates and spiking fuel, signs point to strong freight market
Low truck and trailer cancelations and a rebound in consumer spending paint a rosy picture for freight movement long term.
April 27, 2022
driver hooking up gladhands
Spot load postings down about 9% last week, rates slide by widest mark this year
A 9% decrease in total load postings to Truckstop.com was the largest drop of the year.
April 20, 2022
Backing Into Dc
Contract rates set record while spot rates slide
Shippers last month paid historically high prices to ensure that more of their loads moved under a longer-term contract.
April 18, 2022
trucks being loaded at a warehouse
Spot load volumes suffer atypical seasonal dip
Pre-pandemic, an early-April drop in spot load volume was practically unheard of, but it now seems part of the new normal.
April 13, 2022
Trucks sitting at the dock
Spot van rate hits $3 milestone in December
National average truckload spot van and reefer rates increased for the seventh consecutive month in December.
January 20, 2022
Reefer Trailers
More spot loads moving as capacity loosens
The Port of Houston is a good place to find freight right now.
December 15, 2021
Semi driving on road
Spot rates post largest gain in eight weeks as market outpaces seasonal expectations
Truckstop.com rates increased 5 cents to $2.92 per mile. The 7-day national average line-haul rate for van freight increased 3 cents to $2.48 per mile, according to DAT.
November 2, 2021
trucks at a warehouse
Spot loads falling thanks to high contract rates, plugged supply chain
Already healthy reefer demand is about to accelerate thanks to tree fruit harvests, but the dry van load per truck ratio now at its lowest point in four months.
October 27, 2021
reefer units at a dock
DAT: Contract rates catching up with spot rates
The national average contract van rate rose 3 cents last month compared to August and now equals the national average spot van rate.
October 18, 2021
semis being loaded
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