Back to June 2026 Industry Update
June 2026 Industry Update: Dry Van
DAT National Average Dry Van Spot Rate excl. FSC
Key Points
- Average dry van spot linehaul rates rose sequentially for the second straight month in May, surging 10.4% MoM ($0.20) to $2.17.
- Compared to May 2025, dry van spot rates excluding fuel are up 34.1% YoY ($0.55) and 30% ($0.50) above the long-term average.
DAT National Average Dry Van RPM Contract vs. Spot
Key Points
- Initially reported contract linehaul rates in the dry van sector were also notably stronger in May, rising 3.0% MoM ($0.06) and roughly 9% ($0.18) higher than May 2025 levels.
- Despite the largest MoM gain in contract rates since August 2020, the sharp increase in spot rates narrowed the spread between the two considerably, with dry van contract rates now running at just a 1.4% premium compared to spot, down from 8.7% in April.
DAT Dry Van Load-to-Truck Ratio
Key Points
- Consistent with the spike in rates, the dry van load-to-truck ratio jumped in May to its highest level on record at 11.12, a nearly 50-basis-point increase MoM from April and 132% above the 5-year average.
- According to DAT load board data, load post demand for dry vans rose by more than 27% MoM in May, while equipment posts fell by nearly 15%.
DAT Dry Van Outbound Market Conditions Map, past 30 Days
