Flatbed freight volume and rates gained some traction in June, after a couple of slow months. Texas had the biggest rebound last week, partly due to a surge of loads leaving Houston, the biggest flatbed freight market in the country by far. National average rates gained 6¢ per mile, to $2.16 including the fuel surcharge.
HOT MARKETS: The energy and steel sectors have helped boost the flatbed markets in Houston and Birmingham, respectively.
RISING LANES: A handful of strong lanes throughout the country got rate increases:
- Houston to Los Angeles paid an average of $2.59 per mile
- Cleveland to Harrisburg lane rates soared to $3.92 per mile
- Atlanta to Nashville jumped up to $3.04 per mile
- Birmingham to Chicago was up to $2.87 per mile, which is a great rate for that length of haul.
FALLING LANES: There were a few scattered drops last week.
- Pittsburgh rates have improved, so some inbound lane rates dropped, including Roanoke to Pittsburgh, now $2.45 per mile
- Flatbed rates from Savannah to Greer, SC dropped to $3.09 per mile
- Rock Island, IL to Minneapolis was down to $2.47 per mile
Find loads, trucks and lane-by-lane rate information in the DAT Power load board, including rates from DAT RateView.
