The freight market just made it seven in a row. According to DAT Freight & Analytics data released on March 17, 2026, truckload spot rates posted their seventh consecutive monthly gain in February — a streak that started back in August when van rates were averaging just $2.03 per mile. For independent dispatchers navigating the final stretch of Q1 and heading into spring, this momentum matters. But it doesn’t mean all equipment types are winning equally.
- Flatbed demand leads recovery; use DAT benchmarks to push for higher rates and lock favorable contracts before Q2 capacity returns.
- Winter storms tightened capacity; expect some van and reefer softening as disruptions clear, so prioritize stable lanes and broker relationships.
- Rising diesel is reducing net carrier pay; include current fuel costs and DAT data in rate negotiations and update fuel surcharge tables.
The Numbers: What DAT’s February Data Shows
According to DAT’s March 17 release, February spot rates came in as follows:
- Dry van: $2.41/mile (up $0.09 month-over-month)
- Reefer: $2.88/mile (up $0.07 month-over-month)
- Flatbed: $2.72/mile (up $0.14 month-over-month)
Flatbed continues to lead the rate recovery, a trend consistent with what we reported earlier in March when open-deck spot rates touched their best levels since 2022. What’s driving it? Construction activity, manufacturing reshoring projects, and tariff-driven front-loading of industrial materials are all contributing to a flatbed market that simply doesn’t have enough trucks to go around right now.
Winter Storms Tightened Capacity More Than Expected
February’s gains weren’t purely organic. Three winter storms — Fern, Gianna, and Ezra — disrupted freight networks across the eastern U.S. during the month, pulling available truckload capacity out of service and amplifying the spot-rate gains DAT reported. DAT noted that volume declines in the van and reefer segments were less severe than typical for a short February month, suggesting daily freight demand actually increased compared to January.
For dispatchers, the practical takeaway is this: some of February’s tightness was weather-driven and may not persist into March and April at the same intensity. As storm disruptions clear and capacity rebalances, expect some softening — particularly in van — even as the broader market trend remains upward.
Diesel Is Up — And Eating Into the Rate Gains
Here’s the part of the story dispatchers need to share with their carriers: the national average for on-highway diesel climbed to $3.71 per gallon in February, up roughly 6% from January and about 1% above February 2025, according to DAT’s reporting. The average van fuel surcharge rose to 41 cents per mile in February, up from 38 cents in January.
That means a chunk of the gross rate improvement is being absorbed by fuel costs before your carrier sees a dollar of net benefit. When you’re negotiating rates on behalf of your carriers, build this context into the conversation. A $2.41 van rate with elevated diesel is not the same operating environment as a $2.41 rate when diesel was at $3.40. Your carriers know this — and the brokers on the other side of the call know it too. Use DAT data to back your position.
What Early March Is Showing (Week of March 1–7)
Early March data from DAT One showed some divergence between equipment types. During the week of March 1–7, flatbed loads posted on the marketplace rose 4%, with the average spot rate climbing to $2.70/mile. Meanwhile, dry van and reefer each slipped about 3 cents to $2.36 and $2.75 per mile respectively. The van and reefer softness tracks with seasonal patterns — late winter produce freight hasn’t fully kicked in yet, and manufacturing freight tends to be steadiest through Q1 before spring demand accelerates.
Tariff Volatility Remains the Wild Card
No freight market update in March 2026 would be complete without addressing tariffs. The ongoing trade policy turbulence — particularly around imports from Asia and Canada — continues to create unpredictable freight demand spikes. Importers are front-loading orders ahead of anticipated tariff escalations, flooding ports and generating short-burst truckload demand that can spike rates in coastal and intermodal lanes with minimal warning. Dispatchers covering West Coast or Southeast port lanes should keep a close eye on load-to-truck ratios in those markets, as demand can spike faster than capacity adjusts.
What to Do With This Information
The seventh straight monthly gain in spot rates is a positive sign, but the market reward is not distributed evenly. Here’s how to apply this data this week:
- If you dispatch flatbed carriers: This is your strongest negotiating moment in years. Use DAT rate benchmarks to push back on lowball offers and lock in the best rates you can before Q2 capacity returns to market.
- If you dispatch van or reefer carriers: Rates are still up year-over-year, but the week-over-week softness warrants attention. Focus on consistent lanes and broker relationships rather than chasing spot rate spikes in volatile markets.
- On diesel: Factor $3.71+ gallon diesel into every rate calculation right now. Fuel surcharge tables from six months ago may understate your carrier’s actual cost exposure.
The seven-month rate recovery is real. Stay data-driven, stay equipment-specific, and use the current momentum to lock in stronger terms before market conditions shift again.
