Fuel Updates

As of Monday, January 12th, 2026, the national average price for domestic truck fuel (diesel) is approximately $3.496 per gallon.

In the domestic truck market this week (early January 2026), freight volumes remain sluggish. Spot rates for vans and reefers peaked during the holidays (late December/early January) but are expected to decline, while flatbed rates have remained stable. Carriers are contracting capacity; however, supply still exceeds demand, keeping rates relatively low compared to recent peaks, even as the overall market reflects a slow recovery.

Reefer Freight:

• National Averages: Reports place national reefer spot rates in the low-to-mid $2 range, with late-2025 data showing approximately $2.05/mile (7-day rolling average) and another source noting $2.64/mile (national average). Rates vary significantly by region; for example, the Midwest may see higher rates (e.g., $3.20/mile) compared to the Southeast or Northeast, according to DAT data.
• Market Overview (early January 2026): The reefer (refrigerated) truck market shows mixed signals. Overall rates have dipped slightly from holiday highs but remain strong compared to previous years, supported by post-holiday demand and seasonal produce. The West is particularly active, while the Midwest is seeing steady food and beverage freight.
• Regional Highlights: Inbound shipments into Florida and Georgia are increasing, while outbound volumes remain soft.
• Outlook: Continued demand is expected for reefers, especially for fresh produce and holiday-related food and beverage goods, with strong activity in the West and Midwest, despite typical post-holiday rate adjustments.
• Load-to-Truck Ratio: This week, the reefer load-to-truck ratio is around 3.6 loads per truck—a slight increase driven by more loads and fewer available trucks, indicating tighter capacity and firmer rates.

Van Freight:

• Market Overview (early January 2026): Dry van spot rates have surged post-holiday, reaching multi-year highs nationally (around $2.20–$2.30/mile), driven by strong demand and reduced capacity following the holiday lull.
• Carrier Activity: Carriers are experiencing better rates and more loads, reflecting a tightening market after the holiday season.
• Load and Truck Posts: Load posts increased significantly around the holiday period but have since declined. Truck posts also rose, indicating more available capacity, though key regions such as the Midwest have remained stable or seen minor increases in demand and rates.
• Weather Impact: Winter storms continue to create localized disruptions, affecting both rates and capacity.
• Load-to-Truck Ratio: As of early January 2026, the dry van load-to-truck ratio experienced a significant post-holiday surge. DAT reports a 44.4% weekly increase (Dec 29 – Jan 4), driven by a 35.1% rise in loads and a 6.6% drop in truck posts.

Flatbed Freight:

• Market Overview (early January 2026): Flatbed spot rates are showing seasonal fluctuations. Recent reports indicate slight declines after the holiday peak, but rates remain higher year-over-year. DAT data from late 2025 shows national averages around $2.00–$2.40/mile. Rates vary by region, with the Midwest and Southeast often seeing higher rates than the West.
• Load Activity: This week’s flatbed market shows mixed signals. Load posts have increased over 35% week-over-week in late December/early January 2026, reflecting strong activity in manufacturing, construction, and energy sectors, potentially boosted by AI infrastructure projects. Construction materials and retail stocking for spring and summer are also driving ongoing demand for flatbeds.
• Load-to-Truck Ratio: The flatbed load-to-truck ratio indicates strong demand, with reports showing a significant jump to around 42–47 loads per truck in late December/early January. While ratios fluctuate week-to-week, recent figures point to tight capacity and rising rates in many areas, with hotspots in the Southeast and along the southern border.

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.