How August finished
- Dry van: For the week ending August 28, load posts rose 12.3% while truck posts fell 10.0%. The load-to-truck ratio increased from 9.62 to 12.01.
- Flatbed: Load posts rose 8.8% while truck posts fell 8.8%. The load-to-truck ratio increased from 35.09 to 41.84.
- Reefer: In the latest August reefer report used for this review, load posts rose 11% while truck posts fell 5%, lifting the ratio to 21.1 for the week ending August 21.
The month-end dry-van and flatbed changes were supported by fewer available trucks, including the effect of Brake Safety Week. That tightening can improve negotiating room, but it does not guarantee a higher rate on every lane.
Markets that stood out
For dry van in the final week, Ohio River and Great Lakes origin regions produced the highest reported averages among DAT’s ten leading regions. The Lower Atlantic and Upper Atlantic were among the few leading regions to improve week over week. For flatbed, the Southeast, Ohio River, and Carolinas led the reported origin averages, while most major regions softened from the prior week.
What to check before repositioning
- Compare the exact pickup city with the broad regional average.
- Count every empty mile required to reach the freight.
- Check the destination and likely reload before leaving.
- Confirm whether a short-term capacity event is affecting the rate.
- Do not move a truck toward a stronger region unless the expected revenue pays for the move.
How Capital Depot can help
August closed with tighter posted capacity in major equipment categories. Owner-operators could use that information in negotiation, but the safest decision remained a lane-by-lane check using current operating costs. Original source
When freight shifts from one market to another, available cash can affect how quickly you can fuel, reposition, and take the next opportunity. Capital Depot can help approved carriers access eligible invoice funds sooner.