L/T Ratio: Load-to-Truck Ratio
The number of available loads divided by the number of available trucks on a load board.
The load-to-truck ratio is the foundational supply-demand metric for the truckload spot market. A ratio of 4.0 means four loads are posted for every one truck — a tight market. A ratio of 1.0 means one load per truck — a loose market. DAT publishes weekly ratios by equipment type (van, reefer, flatbed).
Who publishes it
DAT iQ (van, reefer, flatbed; national + lane-level).
How to read it
- Van: 2.0 is balanced; above 5.0 is tight; below 1.5 is loose.
- Reefer: 5.0 is balanced (always higher than van due to backhaul imbalance); above 10 is produce-season tight.
- Flatbed: 10.0 is balanced (highest of the three); above 30 is construction-driven spike.
Why it matters
L/T ratio is the most direct read on spot pricing power. It moves before rates do — a sudden jump from 3 to 6 on van usually means spot $/mile will climb $0.10–$0.20 over the next 2–3 weeks.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal load-to-truck ratio?
It varies by equipment. Van averages around 2.0, reefer around 5.0, flatbed around 10.0. The number itself matters less than the trend versus prior weeks.
Why is flatbed always higher than van?
Flatbed carriers serve concentrated industrial regions (Gulf Coast, Texas, Southeast), so the geographic mismatch with available trucks is structurally larger. Reefer sits between van and flatbed for the same reason.
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