National average van rates remain at their highest level in nearly two years. Two weeks ago van load-to-truck ratios spiked. That was the result of going from a 4-day work week (Memorial Day week) to a 5-day week, which coincided with the annual Roadcheck inspection blitz. Van rates jumped 6¢ per mile that week. But instead of dropping back again, van rates held steady at $1.79 per mile last week.
Over the past month, Los Angeles and Atlanta have led the rising rate parade, and outbound volumes continue to climb in those markets. Elsewhere, some of the price gains have subsided.
Load-to-truck ratios are highest for vans in the darker red areas on the Hot States Map, above.
All rates below include fuel surcharges and are based on real transactions between carriers and brokers.
Rising
Houston continues to have strong demand.
- The lane rate from Houston to New Orleans rose 22¢ to $2.65 per mile, and the lane from Houston to Oklahoma City hit a new high of $2.30 per mile
- Prices continue to fall out of Florida, as the inbound lane from Atlanta to Lakeland in the central part of the state also hit a new high, rising 22¢ to $2.74 per mile
- Out West, van rates from Stockton, CA to Portland, OR averaged $2.80 per mile last week, a 20¢ increase
- The lane from Los Angeles to Seattle also rose by double digits, up 15¢ to an average of $2.69 per mile
Falling
There were still more rising rates than falling ones on the top 100 van lanes, but the gap closed a bit last week. Prices fell on 40 lanes, including:
- Columbus to Buffalo slipped 12¢, averaging $2.73 per mile
- Atlanta to Philadelphia dipped 11¢ to $2.61 per mile
- Charlotte to Atlanta also lost 11¢, to $2.25 per mile, which is still higher than usual for that lane
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