Fuel Updates

Fuel is at $3.66 for the week, which is down from $3.75 the previous week.

The domestic truck market this week is showing tighter dry van capacity, with spot rates rising due to increased holiday demand. Carriers are prioritizing higher-paying holiday lanes, balancing lower overall freight volumes with ongoing carrier exits. As a result, spot rates are holding firm or trending slightly higher, particularly for vans, as the market prepares for year-end retail surges. Expect increased activity and potential rate shifts as holiday-driven freight flows continue to evolve, with Southeast and West Coast dynamics remaining especially important.

Reefer Freight:

• Spot rates are averaging $2.44 per mile, but vary significantly by region.
  • Midwest: Strong performance, with rates potentially higher (approximately $2.96 per mile on average for outbound loads).
  • Southeast/Southwest: Also seeing strong activity, with rates ranging from $2.22 to $2.40 per mile.
  • Northeast: Typically lower, with rates averaging around $2.20 per mile.
• Reefer spot rates posted one of the strongest rebounds of the year, reaching their highest levels since early 2023.
• Capacity is tightening, particularly in key produce regions such as California and Texas, even though overall volumes remain lower year over year.
• Reefer load-to-truck ratios have declined from recent peaks (such as 15:1 post-Thanksgiving 2024) to approximately 4–5 loads per truck, but remain elevated compared to last year.
• Despite the typical end-of-year holiday slowdown, the market demonstrated strong resilience, with load volumes rebounding quickly following Thanksgiving.

Van Freight:

• Spot rates: DAT reported a 1.5% week-over-week increase, even as overall load-to-truck ratios declined. This suggests some pricing resilience despite seasonal softening, with carriers earning above the national average, particularly in the Midwest. National and key regional rates were hovering between $1.67 and $1.90 per mile.
• Volume: Volumes declined from the prior week’s rebound but remained significantly higher compared to late 2024.
• The market continues to be viewed as defensive, characterized by muted demand and thin margins.
• Elevated inventories and softening consumer demand are keeping overall freight levels subdued.
• Ongoing tariff uncertainty and regulatory concerns (such as EPA rules) are contributing to carrier caution.
• Load-to-truck ratio: For the week of December 8th – 14th, 2025, the dry van load-to-truck ratio (LTR) fell 13.7% week over week, following typical seasonal patterns as load postings declined more than truck postings. Despite the decrease, the ratio remained up 44.1% year over year.

Flatbed Freight:

• Rates: For the week of December 8th – 14th, flatbed rates declined approximately 1.2% week over week, but remained higher year over year, averaging around $2.00–$2.10 per mile nationally.
• This week’s flatbed market is sending mixed signals. National spot rates are stabilizing or edging slightly higher after recent dips, supported by pockets of seasonal demand such as construction, though overall volumes remain soft.
• The market is showing a cooling trend following the post-Thanksgiving surge.
• The sharp rebound after Thanksgiving has moderated, resulting in lower volumes and rates compared to the immediate post-holiday peak.
• Broader industrial and construction demand remains muted, keeping overall flatbed market fundamentals weak.
• Stronger activity is concentrated in hotter regions such as the South (Atlanta, Memphis) and the Midwest (Chicago), while ports and border markets (including Laredo and Miami) are seeing targeted surges and pullbacks tied to shifting activity, according to DAT and Truckstop.
• Load-to-truck ratio: The flatbed load-to-truck ratio decreased 5.1% to approximately 27–30, driven by a 10.4% week-over-week decline in load postings and a 2.8% increase in truck postings. Despite the decline, demand remains strong, with load volumes 70.7% higher year over year.

We hope you have a fantastic week! If you need any assistance or have any questions, please reach out to your RIM Representative or to our Domestic Team at RIMDomestic@rimlogistics.com.