Total load posts on DAT One dropped to 3.58 million last week, a 12% decrease from the previous week, as the market seemed to pull back after the quarter ended and before Easter, according to a press release from DAT.
Truck posts fell across dry van and reefer categories, while flatbed capacity slightly increased. With fuel costs continuing to rise, national average broker-to-carrier spot rates increased across the board.
Freight trends from DAT One and DAT iQ
Spot market data for March 29-April 4, 2026 (Week 14)
▲ Dry van: $2.40 per mile, up 7 cents week over week
▲ Refrigerated: $2.79 per mile, up 5 cents
▲ Flatbed: $2.92 per mile, up 11 cents
Van: Loads and trucks both eased
▼ Van loads: 1,355,940, down 14% week over week
▼ Van equipment: 151,400, down 2%
▲ Linehaul rate: $2.04 per mile, up 7 cents
▼ Load-to-truck ratio: 9.0, down from 10.1
Reefer: Capacity and loads retreated together
▼ Reefer loads: 651,807, down 15% week over week
▼ Reefer equipment: 38,533, down 4%
▲ Linehaul rate: $2.43 per mile, up 5 cents
▼ Load-to-truck ratio: 16.9, down from 19.0
Flatbed: Trucks ticked up as loads fell
▼ Flatbed loads: 1,572,902, down 9% week over week
▲ Flatbed equipment: 21,178, up 1%
▲ Linehaul rate: $2.55 per mile, up 11 cents
▼ Load-to-truck ratio: 74.3, down from 82.0
Market analysis from Dean Croke, Industry Analyst, DAT Freight & Analytics
The national average flatbed rate rose by 11 cents to $2.55 a mile, marking the largest weekly increase in over a decade. The rate is now at its highest in four years and 40 cents higher than in the same period last year. The national dry van load-to-truck ratio dropped to 9.0 last week, influenced by a 14% decline in load posts and a 2% decrease in equipment posts.
Is last week’s 9% drop in flatbed load posts a blip or the beginning of a trend? In a strong flatbed market, volumes usually peak later in May. Still, flatbed load posts are significantly above historical averages—up 28% from last year.
California’s four-week produce lull has ended, according to the latest USDA AMS Specialty Crops National Truck Rate Report. Every California region shifted to a “Slight Shortage” designation for trucks this week—a notable move from “Adequate”—and rates increased across the board.
Imperial/Coachella and Santa Maria set new rate baselines without week-over-week comparisons, indicating a structural increase. Note that USDA’s expanded commodity mix from Imperial/Coachella now includes blackberries, blueberries, and bok choy, along with the usual lettuce, broccoli, and leafy greens. South/Central District produce categories have also been reset to include avocados, artichokes, and radishes.
About DAT Freight & Analytics
DAT Freight & Analytics operates DAT One, North America’s largest truckload freight marketplace; DAT iQ, the industry’s leading freight data analytics service; the Convoy Platform automated freight-matching service; Trucker Tools, the leader in load visibility; and Outgo, the financial services platform for truckers. Check out Dean Croke’s latest DAT iQ Market Update: https://www.youtube.com/DATLoadBoards.
Load and truck posts refer to the number of posts on the DAT One marketplace during Week 14 (March 29-April 4). Load volume refers to the number of loads moved. Rates are aggregated from invoice data submitted to DAT iQ and based on actual loads moved. dat.com