Back to March 2026 Industry Update
March 2026 Industry Update: Reefer
DAT National Average Reefer Spot Rate excl. FSC
Key Points
- After surging a combined 15% in December and January, average refrigerated linehaul spot rates continued to rise in February, though at a slower pace of 1.8% MoM. Despite the moderation, annual comparisons strengthened to 27.1% above February 2025 levels and pushed average reefer spot rates 19.8% above their long-term average.
DAT National Average Reefer RPM Contract vs. Spot
Key Points
- Initially reported average refrigerated contract linehaul rates increased for the sixth consecutive month in February, rising 1.4% MoM and lifting annual comparisons to 5.2% above February 2025 levels. After spot rate gains in January closed the gap with contract pricing, February’s increases moved largely in tandem, keeping spot and contract rates essentially aligned for the second consecutive month.
DAT Reefer Load-to-Truck Ratio
Key Points
- Despite continued gains in average rates, the reefer load-to-truck ratio (LTR) declined slightly in February as colder weather conditions across the country began to subside, falling 4.7% MoM to 17.23 — though it remains the highest February reading since January 2022, excluding last month’s figure.
- The decline coincided with a 13.2% MoM drop in spot load posts and a 9% decrease in equipment posts, according to DAT load board data.
DAT Reefer Outbound Market Conditions Map, past 30 Days
