Dry van and flatbed rates moved higher in late September, while refrigerated freight saw another weekly decline.
The latest spot market report shows why equipment type matters when evaluating freight opportunities. Overall load activity held nearly steady during the week ending September 25, but dry van, refrigerated, and flatbed markets moved in different directions, according to FTR’s analysis of Truckstop data.
Dry van rates rebounded by 4.5 cents per mile, despite load postings slipping 0.1%. Refrigerated rates fell 7.3 cents as load activity dropped 9.2%. Flatbed rates increased by slightly less than a penny, accompanied by a 1.7% rise in loads.
Regional conditions also varied. Dry van rates increased across every region, with particularly strong gains on the West Coast and in Mountain Central. Refrigerated rates rose in some regions but declined sharply in the Midwest and Southeast. These differences suggest that national averages alone may offer an incomplete picture when comparing individual lanes.
Across the total market, broker-posted rates increased one cent per mile and stood nearly 42% above the comparable week in 2025. FTR noted that elevated fuel costs account for part of that increase. Its calculation excluding an estimated fuel component still showed rates approximately 34% above year-earlier levels.
Fuel prices provided some relief after the reporting week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a national diesel average of $6.382 per gallon for September 28, down 14.7 cents from the previous week. Even after that decline, diesel remained $2.628 per gallon more expensive than a year earlier.
The decrease was not uniform. Gulf Coast diesel fell 22.2 cents per gallon, while Rocky Mountain prices increased 6.7 cents. California’s average remained above $8 per gallon, underscoring how fuel expenses can differ across a trip.
For owner-operators evaluating spot freight, the practical takeaway is to compare the offered rate with the full cost of the run. Fuel purchases, empty miles, waiting time, and the availability of a return load can all affect what remains after expenses. A higher rate per loaded mile does not automatically translate into a more profitable trip.
As October begins, the next reports will help show whether the dry van rebound continues and whether easing diesel prices provide more sustained relief.
The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.
Last Updated: October 5, 2026
