Spot Rates Are Heating Up
February is supposed to be quiet. This year, the market has other plans.
February is supposed to be quiet in trucking. Post-holiday slowdown, loose capacity, soft rates. That's the textbook version. This year? The textbook is wrong.
Spot rates have climbed $0.61 per mile since last May. National dry van spots are sitting in the low-to-mid $2.00s per mile, with some weeks posting 5 to 11 cent gains. In February. When rates are supposed to be going down.
Why This Matters
Spot rates are the open-market price carriers charge for on-demand loads — freight booked quickly via load boards, not locked into long-term contracts. They're the first signal of where the broader market is headed. When spot rates move, contract rates follow.
Right now, capacity is tighter than it should be. Winter weather has played a role, but the bigger story is structural: the multi-year freight recession pushed trucks and drivers out of the market. Fewer carriers means less available capacity. And that's showing up in the numbers.
Spring Is Coming
Here's what makes this interesting. Spring shipping season — March through May — is when retail restocking, construction, agricultural moves, and general economic activity all ramp up at once. That happens every year.
But this year, spring demand is about to collide with a market that's already tight. Forecasters are calling for 3 to 10% rate growth across 2026. The early strength suggests we could land at the high end of that range — or blow past it.
For carriers, this is the best environment in years. More loads, better rates, real leverage. For shippers relying on spot moves, it means higher costs and less reliability. Every week you're chasing open-market capacity is a week you're at the mercy of daily price swings.
What You Can Do About It
This is where asset-based logistics earns its keep. When spot markets heat up, companies that own their equipment don't have to chase rates on load boards. They have capacity. They control it.
At GWSI, we own our trucks and trailers, our warehouses, and we have direct rail access for moving volume efficiently over long distances. That means when the spot market spikes, our customers aren't scrambling. Their freight moves on schedule, at predictable costs.
We also run warehousing and fulfillment operations that let you stage inventory closer to demand — so you're not over-relying on last-minute transportation in a hot market.
If rising spot rates are hitting your transportation budget, it's worth having a conversation about what dedicated capacity and smarter warehousing can do for you. Reach out or call us at +1 (484) 494-4294. No pitch — just a straight look at your options.