2026 average U.S. all-in rates per mile: dry van $2.10, reefer $2.45, flatbed $2.80, step deck $3.30, RGN/lowboy $4.00+. Regional swings of 20–30% are normal; West Coast and the Northeast pay above the national average. Rates cited include fuel surcharge; linehaul-only rates run $0.35–$0.55/mi lower.
- Dry van
- $2.10/mi (all-in)
- Reefer
- $2.45/mi (all-in)
- Flatbed
- $2.80/mi (all-in)
- Step deck
- $3.30/mi (all-in)
- RGN/Lowboy
- $4.00+/mi (all-in)
Where the numbers come from
DAT publishes weekly national van/reefer/flatbed averages sourced from ~750,000 loads per week. Truckstop publishes a similar Market Demand Index. Both track spot market; contract rates run $0.10–$0.30 above spot in soft markets and $0.20–$0.50 below in tight markets.
Why the national average lies at the lane level
The $2.10 dry van average includes Atlanta→Chicago (~$1.85/mi, oversupplied) and LA→Salt Lake ($2.60/mi, undersupplied) in the same number. Never negotiate against the national average — always pull the 7-day lane rate on DAT before quoting.
Also: national average includes deadhead adjustment on some DAT views. Confirm you're looking at 'all-in linehaul + FSC per loaded mile' when comparing.
Regional pay premium
West Coast (CA, OR, WA): +$0.20–$0.35/mi on reefer, +$0.10–$0.20 on dry van. Northeast (I-95 corridor): +$0.15–$0.25 on all equipment due to congestion and reload difficulty.
Cheapest lanes: Ohio Valley to Southeast on dry van; Midwest to Southeast on flatbed (backhaul territory).
Seasonal overlay for 2026
Reefer peaks May–July (produce), dry van peaks August–November (back-to-school + peak season), flatbed peaks March–October (construction), all bottom in mid-January to third week of February.
Peak-to-trough swing in a normal year: $0.30–$0.60/mi on the same lane. Plan maintenance and vacations for the trough.
Regional swings that break the national average
West Coast dry van in Q2 (produce season) can run $0.40/mi above the national average outbound from Salinas or Yakima, then fall $0.30/mi below on the empty return east.
Southeast flatbed peaks in March–October at $3.10+/mi on Alabama and Georgia industrial outbound; drops to $2.30 in December. Texas Permian oilfield hotshot swings 40% between rig-active and rig-parked cycles — a lane average is meaningless without a season.
How to read DAT and Truckstop rate views without getting fooled
DAT's 15-day average blends spot with contract, weighted by lane. The 7-day is closer to what you'll actually get on the phone today, and the low band is what a broker will open with — never their max.
Truckstop's Rate Insights shows posted vs. paid, which matters: posted rates run 10–15% above paid on soft lanes because brokers pre-negotiate downward. Always negotiate off the paid rate, not the posted headline.
Frequently asked questions
Where are rates highest?
Out of CA, FL, and the Northeast — reefer/produce out of CA and FL, and dry van out of the I-95 corridor.
Is $2.10/mi profitable for a new authority?
Barely. Break-even for most new-authority dry van owner-ops is $1.85–$2.10 all-in, so $2.10 leaves nothing for savings.
How often should I re-check my rate targets?
Weekly. DAT posts new averages every Monday morning.