The freight market continues to tighten as we move deeper into June. Across nearly every major indicator, capacity remains constrained while demand continues to strengthen. Rejection rates are climbing, spot rates are reaching new highs, and shipment volumes have rebounded sharply following the Memorial Day slowdown.
Seasonal produce activity in Georgia and California is adding further pressure to an already tight transportation environment, creating conditions that remain significantly stronger than anything seen over the previous three years.
Load Tender Rejections Continue to Rise
The chart above compares all-mode load tender rejection rates with dry van spot pricing, including fuel. Current rejection rates have climbed to 17.09%, while dry van spot rates have reached $3.71 per mile.
One of the clearest trends throughout 2026 has been the strong relationship between rising rejection rates and increasing freight costs. As carriers reject more contracted freight, that freight is pushed into the spot market, increasing competition for available trucks and driving rates higher.
For much of the year, rejection rates and spot pricing have followed nearly identical trajectories. While rejection rates softened slightly during March and April as many shippers renegotiated contract rates, spot pricing remained elevated. Now, both metrics have resumed their upward movement as June begins.
With produce season gaining momentum across key agricultural regions, current trends suggest continued pressure on both capacity and pricing.
Rejection Rates by Equipment Type
The latest rejection data shows tightening conditions across all major equipment types.
Current rejection rates include:
- Dry Van: 16.15%
- Reefer: 20.52%
- Flatbed: 37.79%
Compared to the same period last year, dry van rejection rates are approximately 300% higher. Reefer rejection rates are roughly 200% higher, while flatbed rejections remain more than double year-ago levels.
These figures indicate that significantly more contracted freight is being rejected and pushed into the spot market than in previous years. The result is a transportation market that remains considerably tighter than historical norms.
Spot Rates Continue to Climb
Dry Van
Dry van spot rates increased another $0.12 per mile this week, reaching $3.71 per mile including fuel.
Compared to 2023, 2024, and 2025, current pricing remains substantially elevated. The combination of produce season activity and recent regulatory pressures has helped push rates well beyond traditional seasonal patterns.
Reefer
Reefer pricing continues its upward trajectory, reaching $3.75 per mile.
The 2026 trend line remains significantly above previous years, reflecting strong demand from produce markets and ongoing pressure on refrigerated capacity nationwide.
Flatbed
Flatbed rates remain historically strong at $4.27 per mile.
Although rates declined slightly from the previous week, current pricing remains well above historical averages and continues to reflect strong demand across construction, manufacturing, and industrial sectors.
Shipment Volumes Rebound After Memorial Day
Shipment volume remains one of the strongest indicators supporting the current market environment.
The chart above shows truckload volume trends dating back to 2021. Current shipment activity continues to exceed levels seen during the previous three years.
Following the typical Memorial Day slowdown, volumes have quickly rebounded and are now showing a sharp post-holiday correction.
When comparing 2026 directly against the previous three years, the seasonal timing remains familiar, but overall demand levels are substantially higher.
This continued rise in freight volume reinforces the demand side of the supply-and-demand equation and helps explain the ongoing pressure on truck capacity across multiple regions.
Produce Season Impact: Georgia and California
Produce season continues to play a major role in shaping transportation conditions nationwide. As agricultural freight ramps up, carriers are drawn into key produce regions, reducing available capacity elsewhere and contributing to higher rejection rates.
Georgia
Georgia has emerged as one of the strongest indicators of seasonal produce market pressure.
Historical trends show outbound rejection rates consistently increasing between April and July each year. While the timing remains predictable, the magnitude of the increase in 2026 is significantly higher than previous years.
Current outbound dry van rejection rates in Georgia have reached 29.05%, roughly triple the levels observed during the past three years.
The market is already operating at elevated levels, and seasonal trends suggest further tightening throughout June and July.
Refrigerated freight follows a similar pattern. Reefer rejection rates traditionally rise throughout produce season before easing later in the summer, and current conditions remain well above historical norms.
California
California continues to follow a similar seasonal pattern.
Historically, outbound rejection rates rise sharply after April and remain elevated through much of the third quarter. Current rejection rates have already reached 9.24%, approximately double the levels seen during previous years.
Given where the market currently stands, additional volatility throughout the summer months remains likely.
Refrigerated capacity in California is showing particularly strong signs of tightening. Reefer rejection rates are approaching 30%, a significant level that reflects intense demand from produce markets throughout the state.
Historically, California reefer markets remain active throughout the summer before seeing another increase during the fall harvest season.
Looking Ahead
The June freight market continues to be defined by three major themes: rising rejection rates, elevated shipment volumes, and strong seasonal produce demand.
Spot rates across dry van, reefer, and flatbed equipment remain well above historical averages, while rejection rates continue to climb across nearly every mode. At the same time, produce season in Georgia and California is absorbing capacity and creating additional pressure throughout the national transportation network.
With demand remaining strong and seasonal freight activity still building, the market continues to operate in conditions that look markedly different from the previous three years.nging freight flows, creating both challenges and opportunities throughout the summer months.
Learn more about how Integrity Express Logistics can help you navigate these roads.
Author
Brian Seven – Sales Engagement Manager