Freight Rate & Trucking Update
Trucking News – US Freight Rates
October 19, 2025 – Courtesy of DAT Trendlines
| October 2025 Freight Rates | |||
| Oct 13 – Oct 19 vs. Oct 06 – Oct 12 | Sep 2025 vs. Aug 2025 | Sep 2025 vs. Sep 2024 | |
| Spot Market Loads | -4.4% | +18.8% | +45.5% |
| Spot Market Capacity | -1.4% | +3.6% | -26.1% |
| Van Load-To-Truck | -4.5% | +12.4% | +87.0% |
| Van Rates (Spot) | +1.5% | +0.0% | -1.0% |
| Flatbed Load-To-Truck | -7.4% | +26.8% | +114.7% |
| Flatbed Rates (Spot) | +0.0% | +0.0% | -0.8% |
| Reefer Load-To-Truck | +6.9% | +5.7% | +118.4% |
| Reefer Rates (Spot) | +3.5% | -0.4% | -0.9% |
| Fuel Prices | -1.4% | -2.1% | +2.2% |
Van Freight Rates – October 19, 2025
DAT.com’s October 19th Trendlines Report shows current national van rate averages are at $2.08 per mile, 3¢ more than the September average. According to DAT, the highest average van rates are in the Midwest at $2.25 per mile. The lowest average van rates are in the Northeast at $1.92 per mile.
DAT reports the current national load-to-truck ratio is 5.77 loads-to-truck, compared to the September average of 6.53. Ratios are high across most of the states. The lowest ratios are in the Southeastern states.
Reefer Freight Rates – October 19, 2025
Reefer freight rates are averaging $2.47 per mile, 3¢ higher than in September. Reefer rates are highest in the Midwest, averaging $2.80 per mile. The lowest rates are in the Southeast, with an average of $2.13 per mile.
National reefer capacity is at 11.03 loads-to-truck compared to the September average of 10.96 loads-to-truck. Current load-to-truck capacity shows reefer demand is highest in the Northern and West Coast states. The Southeastern states have the lowest load-to-truck ratios.
Flatbed Freight Rates – October 19, 2025
National average flatbed rates are $2.52 per mile, 1¢ more than the September average. The Southeast has the highest average flatbed rates at $2.70 per mile. The lowest rates are in the West, with an average of $2.21 per mile.
Nationally, load-to-truck ratios are at 24.5, compared to 25.93 in September. Load ratios are highest in the West Coast and Southeastern states. The Midwest states have the lowest load-to-truck ratios. For more details, visit Dat.com.
*Diesel fuel price map as of October 19, 2025
Checking fuel prices, the national average diesel price is $3.62 a gallon compared to $3.74 one month ago and is down 7¢ compared to one year ago.
East Coast diesel prices are averaging $3.68 per gallon. The average price in the Midwest is $3.56 per gallon. California diesel prices are averaging $4.90 per gallon.
| Change from | |||||
| 10/06/25 | 10/13/25 | 10/20/25 | Week Ago | Year Ago | |
| US | 3.711 | 3.665 | 3.620 | -0.045 | +0.067 |
| East Coast (PADD 1) | 3.735 | 3.721 | 3.675 | -0.046 | +0.085 |
| New England (PADD 1A) | 3.958 | 3.949 | 3.943 | -0.006 | +0.183 |
| Central Atlantic (PADD 1B) | 3.886 | 3.877 | 3.878 | +0.001 | +0.062 |
| Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C) | 3.656 | 3.639 | 3.578 | -0.061 | +0.089 |
| Midwest (PADD 2) | 3.670 | 3.606 | 3.564 | -0.042 | +0.021 |
| Gulf Coast (PADD 3) | 3.364 | 3.299 | 3.256 | -0.043 | +0.057 |
| Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) | 3.671 | 3.658 | 3.585 | -0.073 | +0.051 |
| West Coast (PADD 5) | 4.499 | 4.464 | 4.421 | -0.043 | +0.211 |
| West Coast less California | 4.090 | 4.052 | 4.008 | -0.044 | +0.223 |
| California | 4.971 | 4.940 | 4.898 | -0.042 | +0.200 |