TransCore's monthly North American Freight Index reflects spot market freight availability on the company's network of load boards in the United States and Canada.
Truckload freight rates likewise increased year-over-year on the spot market in December for all equipment types. Month-over-month, national average rates declined for dry van and refrigerated ('reefer') vans following a typical seasonal pattern, while flatbed rates remained unusually robust. For dry vans, the predominant equipment type, rates rose 5.5 percent compared to December 2010, and slipped 0.7 percent compared to November. Reefer rates rose 4.1 percent year-over-year and also slipped 0.7 percent month-over-month. National average rates for flatbeds increased 5.7 percent compared to December 2010, but remained unchanged compared to November.
These rates are derived from TransCore's Truckload Rate Index, and do not include fuel surcharges. Spot market rates are paid to the carrier by freight brokers and third-party logistics (3PL) companies.