Truckload Freight Rates Surge as Diesel Costs Climb

Spot and contract rates hit two-year highs amid rising fuel prices

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:00pm by

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A minimalist studio still life photograph featuring a stack of shipping pallets, a fuel canister, and cargo straps, conceptually representing the impact of rising fuel costs on the freight industry.As diesel prices surge, the trucking industry navigates the complex interplay of spot and contract freight rates.Portland Today

Truckload freight volumes rose across all major equipment types in March, while a sharp jump in fuel costs pushed spot and contract rates to their highest levels in more than two years, according to a report from DAT Freight & Analytics. The DAT Truckload Volume Index increased month over month, reflecting strong early-season demand. Spot pricing was driven almost entirely by fuel cost recovery, with the national average truckload spot rates increasing substantially year over year. Contract freight rates also climbed sharply, largely due to the same fuel-cost dynamics.

Why it matters

The surge in truckload freight rates, driven by rising diesel costs, is putting pressure on shippers and carriers as they navigate the RFP season. The ability to accurately price contracts based on market conditions will be crucial for the smartest players in the industry.

The details

The DAT Truckload Volume Index (TVI), which measures demand for truckload services, increased across all major equipment types in March: van TVI was up 12% compared to February, reefer TVI was up 7%, and flatbed TVI was up 18%. Spot pricing was driven almost entirely by fuel cost recovery, with the national average spot van rate up 11 cents to $2.52 per mile, the spot reefer rate up 9 cents to $2.97 per mile, and the spot flatbed rate up 37 cents to $3.09 per mile. Contract freight rates also increased sharply, with the contract van rate up 20 cents to $2.72 per mile, the contract reefer rate up 22 cents to $3.10 per mile, and the contract flatbed rate up 30 cents to $3.43 per mile.

  • Truckload freight volumes rose in March 2026.
  • Spot and contract rates hit two-year highs in March 2026.

The players

DAT Freight & Analytics

Provider of the industry's leading load boards and freight analytics.

Ken Adamo

DAT Chief of Analytics.

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What they’re saying

“Right now, the smartest players are pricing contracts based on where they believe the market is going and being transparent about those assumptions, leaving room to adjust if conditions change.”

— Ken Adamo, DAT Chief of Analytics

What’s next

As shippers and carriers navigate RFP season in this environment, they will need to closely monitor fuel cost trends and be flexible in their pricing strategies.

The takeaway

The surge in truckload freight rates, driven by rising diesel costs, is putting pressure on the entire supply chain. Shippers and carriers will need to work closely together to accurately price contracts and adapt to changing market conditions.