The Base Rate Index, which excludes the impact of accessorial charges assessed by carriers, increased by 2.0 percent from February.

Average fuel surcharges assessed by carriers decreased this month. Fuel was 10.32 percent of base rates in March versus 10.54 percent in February.

"Overall, total freight costs increased, due to the domestic truckload segment. Domestic truckload showed a strong increase while the other sectors saw decreases," said Doug Payne, President and COO of Nulogx, a transportation management solutions provider and sponsor of the CGFI.

"Year over year, all segments (domestic truckload and LTL and cross-border truckload and LTL) have shown lower costs. Fuel is down in all segments, as well as base costs (other than a marginal increase in domestic truckload)," said Payne.

Source: Nulogx