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Introduction

In the fast-paced world of logistics and supply chain management, transportation expenditures can significantly impact a company's bottom line. With fluctuating fuel prices, unpredictable freight rates, and the complexities of port congestion, logistics operators and supply chain teams face numerous challenges in optimizing their transportation costs. The need for real-time data and actionable insights has never been more critical. This is where FreightPulse comes into play, offering a comprehensive REST API that consolidates essential logistics intelligence into a single, easy-to-use platform.

FreightPulse provides developers and logistics professionals with access to vital data such as EIA fuel prices, live full-truckload (FTL) freight rate quotes, port congestion metrics, carrier verification, and natural-disruption alerts. By leveraging this data, organizations can make informed decisions that lead to significant cost reductions and improved operational efficiency. In this blog post, we will explore how FreightPulse can help optimize transportation expenditures through its powerful API.

Why FreightPulse

FreightPulse stands out in the logistics data landscape for several reasons:

Quick Start

Getting started with FreightPulse is simple. The base URL for the API is:

https://freightpulsehq.com/api/v1

To make your first request, you will need to include the X-API-Key header in your cURL command. Here’s an example of how to retrieve national diesel and gasoline prices:

curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://freightpulsehq.com/api/v1/fuel-prices"

The expected JSON response will look like this:

{
"success": true,
"data": {
"timestamp": "2026-07-30T12:00:00Z",
"source": "EIA (U.S. Energy Information Administration)",
"currency": "USD",
"unit": "gallon",
"data": {
"diesel": {
"national_average": 3.847,
"change_week": -0.023,
"change_percent": -0.6,
"regions": {
"east_coast": 3.912,
"midwest": 3.756,
"gulf_coast": 3.623,
"rocky_mountain": 3.891,
"west_coast": 4.456,
"california": 4.892
},
"historical": {
"30d_avg": 3.82,
"90d_avg": 3.75,
"yoy_change_percent": -8.2
}
},
"gasoline": {
"national_average": 3.156,
"historical": {
"30d_avg": 3.1,
"90d_avg": 3.05,
"yoy_change_percent": 1.1
}
}
}
}
}

In this response, the key fields include:

Core Endpoints

1. GET /fuel-prices

This endpoint provides national diesel and gasoline prices, along with a breakdown by PADD region. It is essential for understanding fuel costs, which are a significant component of transportation expenditures.

Key Parameters: None required.

curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://freightpulsehq.com/api/v1/fuel-prices"

Example JSON Response:

{
"success": true,
"data": {
"timestamp": "2026-07-30T12:00:00Z",
"source": "EIA (U.S. Energy Information Administration)",
"currency": "USD",
"unit": "gallon",
"data": {
"diesel": {
"national_average": 3.847,
"change_week": -0.023,
"change_percent": -0.6,
"regions": {
"east_coast": 3.912,
"midwest": 3.756,
"gulf_coast": 3.623,
"rocky_mountain": 3.891,
"west_coast": 4.456,
"california": 4.892
},
"historical": {
"30d_avg": 3.82,
"90d_avg": 3.75,
"yoy_change_percent": -8.2
}
},
"gasoline": {
"national_average": 3.156,
"historical": {
"30d_avg": 3.1,
"90d_avg": 3.05,
"yoy_change_percent": 1.1
}
}
}
}
}

Field Explanations:

2. GET /freight-rates

This endpoint provides live FTL truckload quotes for US lanes, which is crucial for budgeting and cost estimation in transportation planning.

Key Parameters: mode (trucking, ocean, air), origin_zip, destination_zip (required for trucking).

curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://freightpulsehq.com/api/v1/freight-rates?mode=trucking&origin_zip=10001&destination_zip=90210"

Example JSON Response:

{
"success": true,
"data": {
"mode": "trucking",
"service": "FTL (53' dry van)",
"source": "Warp",
"price_usd": 7207.92,
"transit_days": 4,
"pickup_date": "2026-08-24",
"delivery_date": "2026-08-28"
}
}

Field Explanations:

3. GET /port-congestion

This endpoint provides insights into port activity, which is essential for understanding potential delays in shipping and logistics planning.

Key Parameters: port (name or LOCODE), country, region; congestion (optional).

curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://freightpulsehq.com/api/v1/port-congestion?port=USLAX"

Example JSON Response:

{
"success": true,
"data": {
"results": [
{
"port": "Los Angeles-Long Beach",
"locode": "US LAX",
"country": "United States",
"congestion": "moderate",
"as_of": "2026-08-14",
"metrics": {
"recent_avg_portcalls_per_day": 8.7,
"baseline_avg_portcalls_per_day": 10.2,
"ratio_vs_baseline": 0.85
}
}
]
}
}

Field Explanations:

Real-World Use Cases

1. Fuel-Surcharge Calculator

Logistics companies can build a fuel-surcharge calculator that uses the /fuel-prices endpoint to retrieve current diesel prices. By integrating this data with their freight rates, they can calculate accurate surcharges based on fluctuating fuel costs, ensuring they remain profitable even when fuel prices rise.

2. Port-Congestion Dashboard

A freight forwarder can create a port-congestion dashboard using the /port-congestion endpoint. This dashboard can display real-time congestion levels at major ports, allowing operators to make informed decisions about routing and scheduling to avoid delays.

3. Carrier Vetting Tool

3PL providers can develop a carrier vetting tool that utilizes the /carriers endpoint to verify the status and safety ratings of trucking carriers. This tool can help ensure that only reliable carriers are used, reducing the risk of delays and improving service quality.

FAQ

How often do FreightPulse fuel prices update?

FreightPulse fuel prices are updated weekly, providing users with the most current data to make informed decisions regarding fuel costs.

Can I look up ocean carriers as well as trucking carriers?

Yes, the FreightPulse API allows users to look up both ocean carriers and trucking carriers using the /carriers endpoint, making it a versatile tool for logistics operations.

Does the port congestion data reflect real-time vessel wait times?

No, the port congestion data provided by FreightPulse is a lagged approximation based on historical data and averages. It reflects a 7-day average of port calls compared to a 90-day baseline, rather than real-time vessel wait times.

Conclusion

In conclusion, optimizing transportation expenditures is a critical challenge for logistics operators and supply chain teams. By leveraging the comprehensive data provided by FreightPulse, organizations can make informed decisions that lead to significant cost reductions and improved operational efficiency. The ability to access real-time fuel prices, freight rates, port congestion metrics, and carrier verification data through a single API streamlines operations and enhances decision-making capabilities.

We encourage you to Try FreightPulse for free and explore how its powerful API can transform your logistics operations. With FreightPulse, you can take the fastest path from zero to production logistics data, ensuring your organization stays competitive in a rapidly evolving market.