Back to April 2026 Industry Update
April 2026 Industry Update: Dry Van
DAT National Average Dry Van Spot Rate excl. FSC
Key Points
- Following three consecutive monthly increases, average dry van linehaul spot rates pulled back 4.5% MoM, or $0.09, to $1.91 in March.
- Despite the pullback, dry van spot rates excluding fuel held at historically higher levels, up 19.2% YoY versus March 2025 and approximately 10% above the long-term average, while on an all-in basis, including fuel, rates rose further by 4.6% MoM and were roughly 27% higher YoY.
DAT National Average Dry Van RPM Contract vs. Spot
Key Points
- Initially reported average dry van contract rates, excluding fuel, were unchanged in March but remained nearly 5% above March 2025 levels.
- The softening in linehaul spot rates, coupled with stable contract pricing, widened the contract rate premium from 5.5% in February to 10.5% in March.
DAT Dry Van Load-to-Truck Ratio
Key Points
- The dry van load-to-truck ratio (LTR) remained essentially flat in March, increasing marginally from 9.13 in February to 9.14, but was approximately 90% higher YoY versus March 2025. According to DAT Freight & Analytics, both dry van load and truck postings strengthed 8.8% MoM during the month.
DAT Dry Van Outbound Market Conditions Map, past 30 Days
