PORTLAND, Ore. — TransCore’s North American Freight Index indicated a record volume of spot market freight was available in April.

The index reported April had the highest single month volume since the index was established in 1996. On a year-over-year basis, freight volumes were up 17% and April’s volumes were 3.5% greater than this March.

The index is derived from TransCore’s network of load boards in the US and Canada.

Truckload freight rates increased in April month-over-month, the index shows. Dry van rates were up 3.1% compared to March, while flatbed rates climbed 4.9% and reefer rates rise 5.5%.

Compared to the year before, spot market rates were stable, rising just 0.1% for van loads, 1.2% for flatdeck and actually declining 1.8% in the reefer market.

The rates do not take fuel surcharges into account.