Truckload rates rose across the board in September as diesel prices pushed past $6 a gallon, according to DAT Freight & Analytics. The reefer spot rate set an all-time monthly record, and fuel surcharges hit new highs for every type of equipment.
Spot rates: reefer sets a record
DAT’s national average spot rates (what brokers pay carriers, including fuel) for September 2026:
| Equipment | Spot rate | vs. August | vs. September 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry van | $3.01/mile | +12¢ | +96¢ |
| Reefer | $3.62/mile | +24¢ | +$1.18 |
| Flatbed | $3.61/mile | +7¢ | +$1.11 |
The $3.62 reefer average beat the previous record of $3.60 set in January 2022. But much of the gain is fuel. With fuel stripped out, the van linehaul rate actually slipped 2 cents to $2.17, flatbed linehaul fell 10 cents to $2.60, and reefer linehaul rose 9 cents to $2.70.
Contract rates
Contract rates (what shippers pay brokers) also climbed, with reefer and flatbed setting monthly records:
- Dry van: $3.24/mile, up 13 cents from August
- Reefer: $3.58/mile, up 16 cents
- Flatbed: $4.04/mile, up 12 cents
Fuel surcharges at all-time highs
DAT estimated average fuel surcharges of 84 cents a mile for vans, 92 cents for reefers and $1.01 for flatbeds in September. All three topped the previous records set in June 2022 (75, 82 and 90 cents).
The national average diesel price averaged $6.291 a gallon in September, the first month above $6, compared with $3.722 in February. Prices have kept rising since — the EIA’s national average hit $6.352 for the week of Oct. 26.
“Rates usually take three to four weeks to catch up with rising diesel prices.” — Dean Croke, principal industry analyst, DAT
Volumes are soft
Higher rates are not coming from a flood of freight. DAT’s Truckload Volume Index showed dry van volume down 1% from August, reefer down 5% and flatbed up 2%. Compared with a year earlier, reefer volume was down 10% and flatbed down 7%.
What it means for carriers
For owner-operators running the spot market, the takeaway is simple: check the all-in rate and the linehaul. A rate that looks strong next to last year may be mostly fuel, and your margin depends on what is left after the fuel bill. If you are hauling under contract, make sure your fuel surcharge table is tied to current DOE/EIA prices.
Looking for better-paying freight? See our guide to the best load boards, and keep up with the market in our freight news section.
