Year-over-year, however, the Index was up 22 percent and reached the highest level recorded for the month of September since the Index was established in 1996.

Typically, third-quarter freight volume begins to drop in July, followed by mixed trends in August and September. This year, Q3 volume was up 13 percent compared to the same period in 2012. Severe weather earlier in the year postponed agricultural and construction seasons and related freight movements, producing elevated volumes throughout Q3.

Month-over-month, load availability declined 1.6 percent for vans and 4.6 percent for flatbeds in September but increased 1.1 percent for refrigerated ("reefer") freight. Van rates rose 0.7 percent and reefer rates gained 1.9 percent while flatbed rates declined 8.1 percent compared to August.

Year-over-year, van freight volume rose 12 percent, flatbed loads increased 43 percent, and freight designated for reefers added 30 percent. Van rates increased 3.8 percent, reefer rates rose 4.5 percent, and flatbed rates declined 8.1 percent compared to September 2012.

Year-to-date volume is 1.8 percent higher in 2013.

Reference rates are derived from DAT RateView. Rates are cited for line haul only, excluding fuel surcharges, which rose in September on a month-over-month basis but declined compared to September 2012. The monthly DAT North American Freight Index reflects spot market freight availability on the TransCore DAT network of load boards in the United States and Canada.

Source: DAT