U.S. Bank and DAT report truck freight rates accelerated sharply in April and May

Business Wire·29 Jun 2026·Read original

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Industry Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

Summary · why it matters

The latest U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index – Rates Edition showed truck freight rates rising considerably in April and May. Spot rates were up 31.29% in May compared with a year earlier, while contract rates increased 9% year over year. Spot rates climbed from $1.89 per mile in March to $1.95 in April and $2.14 in May, and contract rates moved from $2.09 to $2.14 and $2.18 over the same period. These increases occurred despite softer shipment volumes, with spot volumes falling from approximately 1.36 million in March to 1.11 million in May and contract volumes dropping 13.3% from roughly 852,000 to 739,000.