Drayage Spot Rates Rose 9.8% Amid Elevated Demand

Transportation operators face higher costs as drayage demand hits 18% above the six-month average.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Transportation

Isometric editorial illustration of stacked shipping containers in a port lot, representing logistics and supply chain market capacity. — The National Drayage Spot Market Index rose 9.8% year over year as trucking capacity tightens and port-to-inland transport demand continues to exceed seasonal averages. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The National Drayage Spot Market Index increased 9.8% year over year as supply chain constraints persist. This rise reflects a broader trend of tightening trucking capacity that has pushed demand 18% higher than the previous six months.

Why it matters

Elevated drayage costs are driven by a combination of constrained trucking capacity and high fuel prices, squeezing margins for businesses reliant on port-to-inland transport. Operators must adjust for these persistent expenses as demand continues to outpace typical seasonal levels.

The National Drayage Spot Market Index rose 9.8% year over year, while current demand levels are 18% higher than the previous six months and 9% above the past four weeks. National on-highway diesel costs averaged $6.382 per gallon during the week of September 28.

The details

Drayage economics remain pressured by terminal queue times, appointment constraints, and limited trucking capacity. These operational bottlenecks mean that cargo containers currently moving through terminals were often booked several weeks in advance, complicating cost forecasting for logistics managers.

During the week of September 28, national on-highway diesel averaged $6.382 per gallon.
The drayage market is expected to transition from peak season through October.

Market Landscape

The current 9.8% increase in the National Drayage Spot Market Index follows the historical peak season drayage market cycle, which typically sees heightened pressure on logistics providers. This shift marks a departure from more stable pricing periods by sustaining demand well above the six-month average.

Business owners should prepare for sustained drayage cost increases through October as the market exits peak season. Consider reviewing your logistics contracts to account for fuel surcharges and potential port-related surcharges tied to terminal capacity constraints.

The takeaway

The sustained 9.8% increase in spot rates highlights a persistent, market-wide capacity crunch that is unlikely to ease before the end of October. Operators should track the gap between current drayage index figures and their own lane-level spend to identify if they are over-exposed to spot market volatility.