Introduction
In today's fast-paced logistics environment, supply chain professionals face numerous challenges, from fluctuating fuel prices to unpredictable port congestion. These issues can lead to increased operational costs and inefficiencies, making it crucial for logistics operators, freight forwarders, and supply chain teams to have access to real-time data. However, the traditional approach of stitching together multiple data feeds from various sources can be cumbersome, time-consuming, and expensive. This is where FreightPulse comes into play, offering a comprehensive REST API that consolidates vital logistics intelligence into a single, easy-to-use platform.
By leveraging FreightPulse Analytics, supply chain SaaS platforms can empower their operations with real-time insights into EIA fuel prices, live full-truckload (FTL) freight rate quotes, port congestion data, carrier lookups, and natural-disruption alerts. This blog post will explore how FreightPulse can transform data-driven decision-making in logistics, providing developers and operators with the tools they need to optimize their supply chain processes.
Why FreightPulse
FreightPulse stands out in the logistics data landscape for several reasons:
- Unified Data Source: Instead of relying on multiple integrations for EIA fuel data, freight rates, port congestion, and carrier verification, FreightPulse offers a single REST API. This eliminates the need for costly subscriptions to various data providers and simplifies the integration process for developers.
- Real-Time and Historical Insights: FreightPulse provides live FTL freight rate quotes alongside historical diesel and gasoline price series in the same JSON schema. This allows logistics operators to make informed decisions based on both current and historical data, enhancing their pricing strategies and operational planning.
- Comprehensive Carrier Lookups: With FMCSA SAFER lookups for US trucking carriers and FMC NVOCC/OTI ocean carrier lookups, FreightPulse enables users to verify carrier information efficiently. This is crucial for ensuring compliance and safety in logistics operations.
- Natural-Disruption Alerts: FreightPulse offers a unique natural-disruption feed that consolidates data from GDACS, USGS, and NOAA/NWS. This feature allows users to filter alerts by port radius, helping them proactively manage risks associated with severe weather events and other natural hazards.
Quick Start
Getting started with FreightPulse is straightforward. 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. 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:
- timestamp: The date and time when the data was retrieved.
- source: The source of the data, in this case, the EIA.
- currency: The currency in which the prices are quoted.
- data: Contains detailed information about diesel and gasoline prices, including national averages and regional breakdowns.
Core Endpoints
FreightPulse offers several core endpoints that provide essential logistics data. Here are three key endpoints relevant to supply chain operations:
1. GET /fuel-prices
This endpoint retrieves national diesel and gasoline prices, along with a breakdown by PADD regions.
Key Parameters: None required.
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://freightpulsehq.com/api/v1/fuel-prices"
Sample 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:
- national_average: The average price of diesel or gasoline across the United States.
- change_week: The change in price over the past week.
- regions: A breakdown of prices by region, allowing operators to assess regional fuel costs.
2. GET /freight-rates
This endpoint provides live FTL truckload quotes for US lanes, enabling logistics operators to quickly assess shipping costs.
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"
Sample 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:
- mode: The mode of transportation (e.g., trucking).
- service: The type of service provided (e.g., FTL).
- price_usd: The quoted price for the shipment.
- transit_days: The estimated number of days for transit.
3. GET /port-congestion
This endpoint provides insights into port activity, helping logistics operators understand congestion levels at major ports.
Key Parameters: port (name or LOCODE), country (name or ISO3), region (continent).
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://freightpulsehq.com/api/v1/port-congestion?port=USLAX"
Sample 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:
- port: The name of the port being queried.
- congestion: The current congestion level (low, moderate, high).
- metrics: Contains metrics such as recent average port calls per day and baseline averages, which help operators gauge congestion trends.
Real-World Use Cases
FreightPulse's API can be utilized in various ways to enhance logistics operations. Here are three concrete examples:
- Fuel-Surcharge Calculator: A logistics company can build a fuel-surcharge calculator that uses the GET /fuel-prices endpoint to retrieve current diesel prices. By integrating this data with their shipping rates, they can automatically calculate surcharges based on fluctuating fuel costs.
- Port-Congestion Dashboard: A freight forwarder can create a dashboard that visualizes port congestion data using the GET /port-congestion endpoint. This tool can help them make informed decisions about routing shipments and managing customer expectations regarding delivery times.
- Carrier Vetting Tool: A 3PL provider can develop a carrier vetting tool that utilizes the GET /carriers endpoint to verify the safety ratings and operational status of trucking carriers. This ensures that they partner with reliable carriers, reducing the risk of service disruptions.
FAQ
How often do FreightPulse fuel prices update?
FreightPulse fuel prices are updated weekly, providing users with the most current data available. This allows logistics operators to make timely decisions based on the latest fuel cost trends.
Can I look up ocean carriers as well as trucking carriers?
Yes, FreightPulse allows users to look up both ocean carriers and trucking carriers through the GET /carriers endpoint. This comprehensive approach ensures that logistics operators can verify all types of carriers efficiently.
Does the port congestion data reflect real-time vessel wait times?
No, the port congestion data provided by FreightPulse is based on a 7-day average of port calls compared to a 90-day baseline. This means it is not real-time data but rather a lagged approximation, which helps users understand congestion trends over time.
Conclusion
In an industry where timely and accurate data is paramount, FreightPulse offers a powerful solution for logistics operators and supply chain teams. By consolidating essential logistics intelligence into a single REST API, FreightPulse empowers users to make data-driven decisions that enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs. Whether you are looking to optimize fuel surcharges, monitor port congestion, or vet carriers, FreightPulse provides the tools you need to succeed.
Ready to transform your logistics operations? Try FreightPulse for free and unlock the potential of real-time logistics data today!