Back to August 2026 Industry Update
August 2026 Industry Update: Flatbed
DAT National Average Flatbed Spot Rate excl. FSC
Key Points
- Following seven consecutive months of gains, flatbed spot linehaul rates declined in July, dropping 1.6% MoM ($0.05) to $2.90.
- Compared to year-ago levels, flatbed spot rates excluding fuel remain 41.8% ($0.86) higher YoY and are 37.5% ($0.79) higher than the long-term average.
DAT National Average Flatbed RPM Contract vs. Spot
Key Points
- Despite softening spot market conditions, initially reported contract linehaul rates continued to climb for the sixth straight month in July, rising 1.8% MoM ($0.05), and remain 19% ($0.50) higher YoY than the same month last year.
- The spread between contract and spot rates widened for the first time in seven months, with contract rates registering 6.9% higher than spot rates.
DAT Flatbed Load-to-Truck Ratio
Key Points
- The flatbed load-to-truck ratio declined sharply for the second straight month in July, dropping 28.4% MoM to 42.5 but remains 80.4% higher YoY and 91.4% above the 5-year average.
- Load board data from DAT supports the strongly weaker flatbed demand as load post volumes were down 31% MoM in July while equipment posts fell by just 3.7%.
DAT Flatbed Outbound Market Conditions Map, Past 30 Days
