Back to March 2026 Industry Update
March 2026 Industry Update: Dry Van
DAT National Average Dry Van Spot Rate excl. FSC
Key Points
- Average dry van linehaul spot rates increased for the third consecutive month in February, rising $0.07 MoM following gains of $0.05 in January and $0.24 in December. The continued climb pushed annual comparisons to their strongest level since February 2022 at +22.7% YoY and placed spot rates 15.1% above the long-term average.
DAT National Average Dry Van RPM Contract vs. Spot
Key Points
- Initially reported average dry van contract rates, excluding fuel, continued to rise for the fifth consecutive month in February. However, this rise was at a slower pace of just under $0.01 MoM, compared to the roughly $0.04 MoM increases recorded in December and January.
- Despite the more modest growth, dry van contract rates remain 4% higher YoY versus February 2025. However, continued volatility in the spot market has narrowed the spread, leaving contract rates just 5% above spot rates — down from 8.2% in January and well below the roughly 22% average premium observed throughout 2025.
DAT Dry Van Load-to-Truck Ratio
Key Points
- Similar to the trend in rates, the dry van load-to-truck ratio (LTR) increased 10.9% MoM in February to 9.13 and remains 93% higher than the same month last year. According to load board data from DAT, dry van load posts rose 4.5% sequentially while equipment posts declined 5.9% MoM.
DAT Dry Van Outbound Market Conditions Map, past 30 Days
