Dry van spot rates top contract for first time since February 2022; flatbed rates hit record high

Dry van spot rates rose above contract rates for the first time since February 2022, while flatbed rates reached a record high in June, according to DAT Truckload Volume Index (TVI) data. The index showed van TVI at 262, up 11% from May and roughly flat versus June 2025, while refrigerated TVI climbed to 184 (+5% from May, -8% versus June 2025). Flatbed TVI was 308, up 12% from May but down 4% versus June 2025. Spot linehaul rates increased at least 39% year over year across all equipment types, with volumes flat to lower as capacity tightened amid regulatory and immigration enforcement pressures reducing qualified drivers. In June, spot van was $3.00 per mile (+11 cents from May), reefer $3.39 (+4 cents), and flatbed $3.69 (+4 cents). Contract rates lagged spot in van and refrigerated due to lower fuel surcharges, while flatbed edged higher.