U.S. Bank and DAT: Truck freight rates show modest uptick in early 2026

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The latest quarterly U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index – Rates Edition showed truck freight rates moving up modestly to start 2026, while the gap between spot and contract pricing has narrowed. Produced in collaboration with DAT Freight & Analytics, the report found that spot rates averaged $2.01 per mile in February, up from $1.65 in November. Meanwhile, contract rates ticked up to $2.12 in February, up from $2.02 in November. The report also revealed compressio.