April national average spot truckload rates rose significantly year over year, with van rates reaching $2.67/mile (up $0.15 MoM, $0.71 YoY), reefer at $3.11 (up $0.14 MoM, $0.83 YoY), and flatbed at $3.46 (up $0.37 MoM, $0.94 YoY). These increases were driven almost entirely by higher fuel surcharges.

The DAT Truckload Volume Index declined month over month across all equipment types: van loads fell 3% to 251, reefer dropped 9% to 183, and flatbed decreased 3% to 306. On a year-over-year basis, volumes rose modestly for each category, underscoring the disconnect between spot rate inflation and load activity.

Average linehaul rates, excluding fuel, saw marginal gains: van up $0.05 to $1.96/mile, reefer up $0.04 to $2.34, and flatbed up $0.25 to $2.61. Per-mile fuel surcharges climbed to 71 cents for van, 77 cents for reefer, and 85 cents for flatbed—the highest since July 2022—compressing carrier margins.

Contract freight rates increased more slowly, with van up $0.13 to $2.85/mile, reefer up $0.12 to $3.22, and flatbed up $0.28 to $3.71. Spot-to-contract spreads narrowed to 18 cents for van, 11 cents for reefer, and 25 cents for flatbed, down from 20 cents, 13 cents, and 34 cents respectively, reflecting tighter equipment availability.