Trucking News · Nationwide · November 3, 2026

Spot Rates for Dry Van, Reefer and Flatbed All Fell in the Same Week for the First Time Since Mid-August, Truckstop and FTR Say, for Truckers

By Big Rig Daily Staff

Spot market rates for all three principal types of trucking equipment slipped in the same week, according to Truckstop and FTR's weekly analysis of broker-posted rates, as published by The Trucker. The report covers the week ending Oct. 30, 2026. It was the first week since mid-August that dry van, refrigerated and flatbed rates all fell together.

The week in numbers

The Trucker's account of the Truckstop and FTR data gives these changes from the prior week:

• Total broker-posted spot rate: down 1.3 cents a mile, after a drop of more than 2 cents the week before.
• Dry van: down 2.5 cents a mile.
• Refrigerated: down 3.5 cents a mile.
• Flatbed: down 1.6 cents a mile.
• Total load volume: up 8.5%, the largest gain in six weeks, while truck postings were essentially flat.

Still well above last year

The report says total rates were about 41.5% above the same week in 2025. By equipment type, dry van rates were about 48% higher, refrigerated rates more than 41% higher and flatbed rates 42% higher than a year earlier. The report also says West Coast dry van rates were up nearly 65% from a year ago.

Demand and the seasonal view

The Market Demand Index, the ratio of loads to trucks, rose to its highest level in four weeks, according to the report. FTR said the moves "largely were in keeping with seasonal expectations," and added that in comparable weeks dry van and refrigerated rates usually rise while flatbed rates usually decline. Neither the report nor Big Rig Daily is predicting where rates go next.

Why the year-over-year comparison matters

A weekly drop of a few cents can look small next to a gain of more than 40% over last year. The two figures measure different things: the first compares the last two weeks, and the second compares this year with last year. Big Rig Daily has covered the link between higher diesel and spot rates and how higher diesel costs show up in daily operating costs. Those reports are separate from this week's data.

What is not known

The report measures broker-posted rates in the Truckstop.com system, so it does not describe contract rates or every load. It does not give the reasons for the moves beyond FTR's seasonal view. Big Rig Daily is not guessing at those details.

Quick facts

• Period: week ending Oct. 30, 2026.
• Total rate: down 1.3 cents a mile; dry van down 2.5; refrigerated down 3.5; flatbed down 1.6.
• Loads: up 8.5%.
• Versus last year: total about 41.5% higher.
• Source of the data: Truckstop and FTR, as reported by The Trucker.

FAQ

How unusual was the drop?

According to the report, it was the first week since mid-August that dry van, refrigerated and flatbed rates all fell in the same week.

Are rates lower than last year?

No. The report says they remain about 41.5% above the same week in 2025.

Why did rates fall?

FTR called the moves seasonal. The report does not give further reasons.

A question for readers

Truckers who haul on the spot market, are you seeing the same pull-back in rates on your lanes that the weekly report describes?

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