Flatbed Truckload (TL) Sector

May 2026 Update

May 26, 2026

As of May 2026, flatbed rates have strengthened more meaningfully than earlier in the year, with the segment moving from a slower-recovering category to one of the tighter areas of the truckload market. Construction season, energy-sector activity, and broader capacity reductions are supporting firmer pricing, even as industrial demand remains uneven.

The flatbed market is still not being driven by a broad industrial surge. Rate momentum is coming from a mix of seasonal demand, project-related freight, energy activity, and constrained capacity. This has improved the pricing environment for carriers and reduced the amount of rate relief available to shippers.

Spot Rates

Flatbed spot rates moved higher in April and started May ahead of normal seasonal patterns. ACT’s May Freight Forecast notes that flatbed became the tightest specialized market as construction season and energy activity ramped up.

While seasonal strength is part of the story, capacity reductions are also supporting higher rate floors. Shippers should expect a firmer spot market than earlier in the cycle, particularly around construction, energy, machinery, and project-related freight.

Contract Rates

Flatbed contract rates are beginning to respond to tighter spot conditions. Contract pricing improved in April, and ACT’s May Freight Forecast points to a firmer outlook as supply tightens and tariff-related demand risk eases.

Contract negotiations are likely to remain measured, but carrier leverage has improved. For shippers, this means procurement conditions are less favorable than they were during the prior downturn. For carriers, stronger contract pricing should help support revenue quality, though cost pressure remains a constraint.

Summary

The flatbed market has improved since March, with spot rates firmer, contract rates beginning to respond, and capacity conditions tighter. Demand remains uneven, but construction, energy, infrastructure, utility, and project freight are providing a stronger floor than earlier in the cycle.

Flatbed pricing is no longer simply stabilizing; it is showing clearer signs of early-cycle rate momentum. Shippers, carriers, brokers, fleets, and investors should continue monitoring energy activity, construction demand, industrial output, driver availability, and whether recent rate gains carry into contract pricing.

To see how flatbed rates change in the future, and for detailed analysis and forecasts or truckload, less-than-truckload, and intermodal, see ACT's freight & transportation forecast.