DAT: Truckload rates rise in September as diesel tops $6 a gallon
Globe Newswire•13/10/2026•09:00 ET
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Key Highlights
- ➤Diesel averaged $6.291 a gallon, driving record fuel surcharges across all equipment types
- ➤Reefer spot rate $3.62 a mile, up 24 cents from August, sets record
- ➤Dry van spot rate $3.01 a mile, up 12 cents from August
- ➤Flatbed contract rate $4.04 a mile, up 12 cents from August, sets record
- ➤Reefer volume fell 5% monthly and 10% year over year
Expert Statements
Dean Croke, Principal industry analyst at DAT
“On the spot market, where there is no separate fuel surcharge, what matters for carriers is whether the rates they negotiate can cover their higher fuel bills.”
Dean Croke, Principal industry analyst at DAT
“Rates usually take three to four weeks to catch up with rising diesel prices, and carriers have to pay for fuel in the meantime.”
PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Record diesel prices helped push truckload rates higher in September despite lower volumes for dry van and refrigerated (“reefer”) freight compared with August, according to DAT Freight & Analytics.
Spot and contract rates including fuel rose for all three equipment types as the monthly national average on-highway diesel price surpassed $6 for the first time. Excluding fuel, van and flatbed rates declined in both markets while reefer rates increased.
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