Market Data Methodology
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How market data is built
Six steps turn published industry studies and weekly diesel data into the averages, ranges and trends shown on Haulwide. As Haulwide completes its own shipments, measured prices blend in.
Collect prices
Today the index is modeled from the published studies in our pricing sources plus the EIA weekly diesel price. As Haulwide arranges shipments, quoted, booked and final prices (identities removed) blend in and the label on each figure moves from modeled to measured.
Clean the data
Duplicates are removed, vehicles and transport types are standardized, and extreme outliers such as mistyped prices or one-off specialty moves are trimmed.
Normalize
Prices are grouped by route direction, distance band, vehicle class, transport type and month, and converted to per-mile figures so routes can be compared fairly.
Calculate averages and ranges
We publish an average and a typical range for each group, calculated from the modeled baseline today. As measured prices accumulate, recent shipments and final prices will be weighted more heavily than older quotes.
Fill gaps carefully
Today every figure rests on a model of published studies, distance, region and season, and is labeled as modeled. As routes gain measured shipments, those prices blend in; a route with little measured data keeps leaning on the model, and its label says so.
Publish and review
Figures are refreshed on a regular schedule with the date they describe. Sudden changes are reviewed before they're published.
Three kinds of prices
- Quoted price
- What a company offered for a shipment. Useful for spotting trends early, but some quotes never book.
- Booked price
- What the customer agreed to pay when the shipment was confirmed.
- Final price
- What was actually paid after delivery, including any changes. Will be weighted most heavily as measured prices blend in.
Limitations
- Averages describe typical shipments, not your exact vehicle, dates or addresses.
- An estimate isn't a quote: prices are confirmed only when a carrier accepts your shipment.
- Routes with few shipments are less certain, even with modeling.
- Fast-moving events such as storms or fuel spikes can change prices before the next update.
Independence
Market data is calculated the same way for every route. Advertisers and listed companies can't change it, and we don't publish personal information about customers or drivers.
Public references we use
Context that helps explain price movements.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between quoted, booked and final prices?
A quoted price is what a company offered, a booked price is what the customer agreed to, and a final price is what was actually paid after delivery. Figures are modeled from published studies until Haulwide has enough shipments of its own. As measured prices blend in, final prices will carry the most weight because they reflect what shipping really cost.
How are unusual prices handled?
Duplicates are removed and extreme outliers, such as mistyped prices or one-off specialty moves, are trimmed before averages and ranges are calculated.
What happens when a route has little data?
We fall back to a model based on distance, region and season, and label the figure so you know it's less certain.
Can companies pay to influence market data?
No. Market figures are calculated the same way for every route and company, and advertising has no effect on them.
Pricing data methodology
More market data
- Car Shipping Market DataNational prices, trends and capacity at a glance.
- Car Shipping Price IndexThe national average price, tracked monthly.
- Car Shipping Price TrendsHow prices moved over the last 12 months.
- Car Shipping Rates by StateAverage costs to and from every state.
- Car Shipping Rates by RoutePrices and transit times on popular routes.
- Carrier AvailabilityTruck space and pickup times by region.
- Car Shipping SeasonalityCheapest and busiest months to ship.
Price tools
Turn market data into savings on your own shipment.
- Price calendarFind the cheapest pickup dates
- Cost calculatorEstimate any route
- Price alertsGet told when prices drop
- Nearby pickup savingsSave by meeting the truck
Using these numbers
- Treat averages as a starting point. Your route, vehicle and dates set the real price.
- A quote far below the average can mean a long wait for a truck.
- Check again a few weeks before pickup, when carriers plan their loads.
Use market data to ship smarter
Get an estimate for your route, vehicle and dates.