TransCore’s N.A. Freight Index rises 36% y-o-y in November

PORTLAND, Ore. — TransCore’s North American Freight Index climbed 36% last month compared to November 2010. The increase marked the third consecutive month with the highest same-month volume since 2005. Compared to October, spot market freight volume slipped 4.4%, which TransCore officials say is a normal seasonal trend. Spot market freight volume has declined in November since the company established the Index in 1996, with the historical average decline being 15%.

TransCore’s monthly North American Freight Index reflects spot market freight availability on the company’s network of load boards.

Rate information is also provided by TransCore’s Truckload Rate Index and reflects line-haul rates excluding fuel surcharge. Truckload freight rates increased year-over-year on the spot market in November for all equipment types. When compared to October, rates rose for dry van and refrigerated in November but declined for flatbeds.

Dry van, the predominant equipment type, rates rose 6.3% compared to November 2010 and increased 0.7% compared to October. Refrigerated van rates rose 3.0% year-over-year and 1.9% month-over-month. National average rates for flatbeds increased 6.4% compared to the same-month in 2010 but declined 4.0% compared to October.t