DAT

Springtime freight is coming on strong, and rates are climbing. We're starting to see more of the seasonal trends we're used to, but　freight rates from DAT RateView show that van rates (including fuel surcharge) on the spot market for February were down 5.1% compared to a year ago. As a national average, that equates to about a 10¢ difference per mile. Spot market rates were elevated throughout 2014 because of the Polar Vortex, but DAT RateView™ data shows that, if you take away the fuel surcharge,　the average linehaul rate was actually 9¢ higher in February 2015 than the previous year.

About Freight Rates
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Diesel was $2.90 per gallon on average nationally at the end of February, $1.11 cheaper than the previous year. As a result, the average fuel surcharge in February 2015 was down to 29¢ per mile, 11¢ lower than last year.

Here are six ways that lower oil prices are changing trucking in 2015:

Fifty-one Congressional Representatives signed a letter sent to Anthony Foxx, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, pushing for a firm date for a field study on the 34-hour restart provision of the new HOS rule.

While the economic slump has driven many small carriers and owner-operators out of business, others have seen surprising success in their business – simply by using all the features in their load boards.