DAT says higher fuel costs lifted April truckload rates while freight volumes eased

DAT said higher fuel costs helped push April truckload spot and contract rates higher, even as freight volumes eased across major equipment types.

The company’s monthly market update, published May 18, said the gains were driven mainly by fuel rather than stronger freight demand. DAT said linehaul rates moved only modestly, while higher fuel surcharges played a larger role in the all-in rate increases.

What DAT reported

DAT said its Truckload Volume Index fell month over month for van, reefer and flatbed freight in April. At the same time, spot and contract truckload rates climbed, with flatbed showing the clearest demand-related improvement.

The company’s framing suggests the April pricing move was more a function of operating costs than of a broad pickup in freight activity.

Why it matters

For shippers and carriers, the update points to a freight market where fuel pressure can still move headline pricing even when load volumes are soft. That can affect contract negotiations, surcharge calculations and near-term budgeting for transportation costs.

DAT’s release is the latest monthly snapshot of a market that has been sensitive to fuel costs and uneven freight demand. The company said the April pattern fits that broader backdrop, with rates rising despite weaker volume trends.

What comes next

The next monthly DAT update will show whether fuel remains the dominant driver of pricing or whether freight demand begins to matter more in setting rates.