2026 Market Outlook | Freight Market Intelligence
Year-over-year spot rate growth is now the
floor across major equipment types
Per-mile van rate, an all-time high,
up from $3.02 in May
By Circle Logistics • Published June 2026 • ~5-minute read
Executive Summary
At Circle, we track spot market rates closely enough to know the pattern usually peaks in June — and 2026 held true to form in spectacular fashion. We saw van rates hit an all-time high of $3.19 per mile. Standard 53’ flatbeds and step decks outperformed van with large month-over-month gains in the lanes we run, and reefer rates edged higher as well. Gains like these tend to attract new entrants and new capacity, so if past patterns hold, we expect June to mark the high for the year.
On the rate side, shipper pricing moved up alongside carrier costs in June, with both sides reflecting tighter capacity conditions. The one soft spot in June’s data was a pullback in import/export loads, an early signal that July numbers may not quite match June’s, though wildcards like Amazon’s ‘Xmas in July’ promotion have historically juiced July volumes.
In this edition of The Circle Dispatch, we break down record van rates, improving broker margins, and the summer freight outlook.
Key Findings
Van Rates set an all-time high
We priced van freight at $3.19/mile in June, up 5.6% month-over-month and 41.2% year-over-year, the seventh straight month of gains we’ve tracked in 2026.
Flatbed and step deck outperformed
Step deck jumped 7.5% M/M to $4.60/mile and flatbed rose 6.4% to $3.97/mile. Only RGN slipped, down 1.8% to $5.38/mile, still the highest rate per mile of any equipment type.
Cross-Border volume cooled
International shipments in our network fell 16.5% M/M to 641 loads after May’s rebound, a possible early signal to us of softer freight ahead — though July promotions remain a wildcard.
Load Coverage Holds, Fill Rates Climb
Circle’s load coverage held strong across all major lanes despite record demand, with van fill rates improving month-over-month.
The Forces Behind the Numbers
Two months ago, we called out 30% year-over-year growth as remarkable. Now we’re seeing at least 41%, and rates out of historically soft regions, Colorado, Florida, Montana, and the Northeast, are starting to climb in our network too. Our LTL rates are up as well, with expedited shipments increasingly priced in truckload territory.
Our brokerage margins tell a more nuanced story by equipment type. Rate behavior varied by equipment type. Flatbed pricing recovered the most ground month-over-month, which aligns with the construction and industrial demand we track in our network. Van rates climbed to their strongest point in nine months. Reefer rates remain elevated. RGN volume dropped in June through rates on those specialty moves held firm, a reminder that low-volume equipment types don’t always follow the broader trend.
The macro backdrop remains unsettled from where we sit. Our team sees the ongoing situation with Iran as a continued drag on the broader economy, particularly through its effect on oil prices worldwide. If volumes soften in July, shippers who locked in coverage early are likely better positioned than those chasing spot.
About Circle Logistics
Circle Logistics is a technology-forward freight brokerage specializing in truckload, reefer, flatbed, and specialized equipment freight. Powered by real-time market data and a performance-driven culture, Circle helps shippers and carriers navigate volatility with confidence.