Fuel Updates

As of late February 2026, US national average retail diesel prices are holding at approximately $3.71 per gallon, reflecting a slight week-over-week increase of roughly 0.6%. Regional averages vary, with the East Coast averaging $3.76 and higher-cost areas like New England sitting around $4.21.

On the freight side, the domestic commercial truck market is experiencing tightening conditions driven by seasonal and weather-related capacity constraints. Spot rates are under upward pressure, and while freight volumes are broadly rising, market conditions remain choppy and uneven across sectors. Rate volatility persists, with some categories posting modest gains compared to prior months while others lag behind. The dry van sector, in particular, is showing signs of structural tightening as load-to-truck ratios climb.

Reefer Freight:

• The national average reefer rate is approximately $2.81 per mile, with the Midwest ($3.39) and Southwest ($3.04) leading in outbound rates.
• While winter storms are driving short-term rate increases, the market overall retains meaningful buffer capacity.
• Highest freight activity is concentrated in Texas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
• Pockets of tighter capacity are expected to persist through June.
• Extreme winter weather has caused notable, though likely temporary, rate increases.
• As of late January 2026, the national reefer load-to-truck ratio reflects tight capacity at approximately 14.5 loads per truck.

Van Freight:

• As of mid-February 2026, dry van spot rates are experiencing a seasonal cooldown but remain historically strong, with national averages running well above prior-year levels. Broker-posted spot rates, excluding fuel surcharges, were tracking around $2.08 per mile following a period of elevated rates driven by tight capacity.
• Rates on the top 50 lanes by load volume increased by 5 cents to $2.32 per mile.
• The Midwest remains a key driver of market activity, with regional rates having an outsized impact on national trends.
• Capacity challenges in California (particularly around hubs like Stockton) continue to create meaningful volatility tied to fluctuations in import container volumes.
• The national dry van load-to-truck ratio loosened to 9.82 following a 13% drop in load post volumes, yet remains historically elevated at roughly 70% above last year’s levels. Notably, even as volume fell, available capacity tightened slightly.

Flatbed Freight:

• Flatbed spot rates have shown resilience in mid-February 2026, edging up approximately $0.01 per mile to a range of $2.07–$2.53 despite softer overall load volumes. Regional variation remains significant, with high-demand markets like Houston reaching $2.76 per mile.
• Rates are supported by a strong industrial economy and continued momentum from the 2025 data center construction boom.
• The market faces a challenging road ahead as demand is picking up faster than capacity can adjust, sustaining upward pressure on spot rates.
• The Midwest and regions with active construction or manufacturing activity are seeing tighter capacity, while markets like Texas remain competitive but available.
• The national flatbed load-to-truck ratio stands at approximately 26.35, with load posts running 14% above the prior year, which is a clear signal of strong and growing demand for flatbed capacity.

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.