August put pressure on both sides of a carrier’s margin: spot linehaul rates fell while fuel costs rose. DAT’s national dry van spot linehaul average dropped 20 cents to $2.19 per mile. Reefer fell 14 cents to $2.61, and flatbed fell 20 cents to $2.70.
These are monthly linehaul averages. DAT removes an amount equal to an average fuel surcharge from the all-in spot rate to make that comparison. The $2.19 figure should therefore be compared with other linehaul figures, rather than with an all-in load offer that includes fuel.
A Steeper Seasonal Decline
DAT described the declines as the largest July-to-August drops in its 16-year history for all three equipment types. Rates usually ease during that period, but this year’s decline was larger than usual. Even after the drop, spot linehaul averages remained more than 30% above August 2025.
DAT principal industry analyst Dean Croke attributed much of the change to:
“normal seasonality and freight that shippers pulled forward earlier in the summer.” — Dean Croke, DAT Freight & Analytics
He also pointed to a less encouraging detail: rates eased despite a reduction in available truck capacity during Brake Safety Week. In his assessment, that suggested cooler freight demand heading into Labor Day. The large year-over-year gains and the weaker monthly result both belong in the picture.
Contract Averages Moved Ahead
Dry van contract linehaul averaged $2.41 per mile, 22 cents above spot. Reefer contract averaged $2.65, 4 cents above spot, while flatbed’s contract premium widened to 38 cents.
Those national averages are useful context for a freight review. They do not establish which offer will leave your fleet with the better margin. Empty miles, waiting time, route length and fuel terms can change the comparison substantially.
Fuel deserves particular attention. DAT’s average van fuel surcharge rose 8 cents to 70 cents per mile in August. DAT noted that contract freight typically includes a separate surcharge that adjusts with diesel prices, while spot loads are typically negotiated as an all-in amount. For a spot load, the carrier needs to account for the trip’s fuel cost within that agreed price.
What This Means for Fleet Owners
- Compare rates consistently. Put spot and contract offers on the same fuel basis, then account for empty miles and time spent waiting.
- Review the loads that actually covered costs. Look at recent lane results after fuel, driver pay and other operating expenses. A higher headline rate can still produce a weaker trip margin.
- Use recent operating results in equipment budgets. Check that a proposed payment fits the work available at current rates, with room for slower weeks and repairs.
If fuel savings are part of a replacement decision, compare expected savings at your actual mileage with the added equipment cost. August’s report makes the case for updating that calculation before committing to a purchase.