trucking

Dry Van Rates Moderate as Summer Freight Demand Normalizes

Dry van spot linehaul rates averaged $2.74 per mile for the week ending July 24, 2026. Rates remained strong compared to the same period last year while showing seasonal moderation. The rate stands approximately 33 percent, or $0.59 per mile, above the nine-year seasonal average and positions near the top of the historical range. Load posts declined 7.1 percent year-over-year as both freight and capacity softened. The 10 bellwether states posted moves-weighted outbound rates of $3, with the Upper Atlantic region showing the most resilience at a week-over-week decline of 1.1 percent. Projections suggest dry van spot rates will ease to $2.27 per mile by August 29, approximately 4 percent lower than current levels. Despite the expected moderation, projected rates would substantially exceed the $1.65 recorded near the same date last year.