Fuel Updates

Fuel is at $3.62 for the week, which is down from $3.67 the previous week.

The domestic trucking market is facing a complex and fragile dynamic: capacity is shrinking faster than demand, resulting in counterintuitive increases in spot rates and tender rejections. Long-haul freight volume has fallen sharply, with some estimates reporting a 30% year-over-year decline.

Reefer Freight:

• Spot rates are sitting at $2.48.
• Load post volumes have declined 4.4% this week compared to last week.
• Overall capacity remains ample, though certain regions—such as the Mid-Atlantic and Indiana—are experiencing tighter availability, while others, like the Mexico–Texas lane, remain looser.
• The load-to-truck ratio continues to decline, highlighting an imbalance between equipment and freight. However, demand is picking up in the Pacific Northwest and border regions as Midwest harvests begin to slow.
• Uncertainty over the tariffs scheduled for November 1st is affecting market sentiment, as they are expected to drive up new truck prices and delay fleet replacements.
• The load-to-truck ratio is at 13.48 loads per truck, a 6.9% increase from the previous week.

Van Freight:

• Spot rates are sitting at $1.67 per mile.
• Load volumes were flat week-over-week; however, they are up significantly year-over-year.
• Current rates are higher than the same period last year, but are still about 13% below the five-year average.
• The market is expected to remain soft due to lower consumer spending, with no significant rate momentum anticipated in the near term.
• The load-to-truck ratio decreased by 4.5% in the week ending October 19th, 2025, compared to the previous week. The ratio is up 12.4% month-over-month.

Flatbed Freight:

• Spot rates are sitting at $2.50 per mile.
• The market is nearing equilibrium between carrier supply and shipper demand, though capacity is more fragile than it was a year ago.
• Stronger regional rates in the Southeast, Gulf Coast, and Midwest are being sustained by higher demand from construction and infrastructure projects.
• The load-to-truck ratio decreased by 0.7%, while truck posts increased by 4.1%, causing the ratio to fall.

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.