Introduction
In the fast-paced world of logistics and supply chain management, access to accurate and timely data is crucial for making informed decisions. However, many logistics operators and developers face significant challenges when it comes to gathering and analyzing freight data. Traditional methods often involve stitching together multiple data sources, leading to inefficiencies, increased costs, and potential inaccuracies. This is where FreightPulse comes into play, offering a comprehensive REST API that consolidates real-time logistics intelligence into a single, easy-to-use platform.
With FreightPulse, developers can access a wealth of information, including EIA fuel prices, live full-truckload (FTL) freight rate quotes, port congestion data, carrier lookups, and natural-disruption alerts—all through one API. This not only simplifies the integration process but also enhances the ability to analyze historical freight data for better market insights. In this blog post, we will explore how FreightPulse empowers market analysis by unlocking historical freight data insights, making it an invaluable tool for logistics professionals.
Why FreightPulse
FreightPulse stands out in the logistics data landscape for several reasons, each providing concrete benefits to developers and operators:
- Unified Data Access: Instead of relying on multiple integrations for EIA fuel data, freight quotes, port congestion, and carrier verification, FreightPulse consolidates all this information into a single API. This eliminates the need for complex stitching of disparate data sources, saving developers time and reducing the risk of errors.
- Real-Time and Historical Insights: FreightPulse offers live FTL freight rate quotes alongside historical diesel and gasoline price series in the same JSON schema. This allows logistics operators to analyze trends over time, enabling better forecasting and decision-making.
- Comprehensive Carrier Information: With FMCSA SAFER lookups for US trucking carriers and FMC NVOCC/OTI ocean carrier lookups, FreightPulse provides essential data for vetting carriers. This is crucial for ensuring compliance and safety in logistics operations.
- Natural Disruption Alerts: The API includes a natural-disruption feed that filters alerts by port radius, allowing operators to proactively manage risks associated with cyclones, earthquakes, and severe weather. This feature is vital for maintaining shipment integrity and minimizing delays.
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 an API key in the 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
}
}
}
}
}
This response provides a comprehensive overview of current fuel prices, including regional breakdowns and historical averages, which can be invaluable for market analysis.
Core Endpoints
FreightPulse offers several core endpoints that are essential for accessing various types of logistics data. Below, we will cover three key endpoints relevant to market analysis:
1. GET /fuel-prices
This endpoint retrieves national diesel and gasoline prices, along with a breakdown by PADD regions and historical averages.
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 Explanation: The response includes the national average prices for diesel and gasoline, changes over the week, and historical averages, which are crucial for understanding fuel cost trends.
2. GET /freight-rates
This endpoint provides live FTL truckload quotes for US lanes, allowing users to access current freight pricing information.
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 Explanation: This response provides the mode of transport, service type, price in USD, estimated transit days, and pickup/delivery dates, which are essential for logistics planning and cost estimation.
3. GET /port-congestion
This endpoint retrieves port activity data, showing the average number of port calls compared to a baseline, which is crucial for understanding congestion levels.
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"
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 Explanation: The response includes the port name, congestion level, and metrics comparing recent port calls to a baseline, which helps logistics operators assess potential delays in shipping.
Real-World Use Cases
FreightPulse's API can be leveraged in various ways to enhance logistics operations. Here are three concrete examples:
- Fuel-Surcharge Calculator: By integrating the fuel prices endpoint, logistics companies can build a fuel-surcharge calculator that adjusts shipping costs based on real-time fuel price fluctuations. This ensures that pricing remains competitive and fair. Endpoints used: /fuel-prices
- Port-Congestion Dashboard: Freight forwarders can create a dashboard that visualizes port congestion data, allowing them to make informed decisions about routing and scheduling. This helps in minimizing delays and optimizing supply chain efficiency. Endpoints used: /port-congestion
- Carrier Vetting Tool: 3PL providers can develop a carrier vetting tool that utilizes the carrier lookup endpoint to verify the safety ratings and operational status of trucking carriers. This ensures compliance and enhances the reliability of their logistics network. Endpoints used: /carriers
FAQ
How often do FreightPulse fuel prices update?
FreightPulse fuel prices are updated weekly, providing users with the most current data available. This frequency 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 its carrier lookup endpoint. This comprehensive approach ensures that logistics operators have access to vital information for all modes of transport.
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 and is not real-time. It serves as a lagged approximation, allowing users to assess congestion levels compared to a 90-day baseline.
Conclusion
In conclusion, FreightPulse offers a powerful solution for logistics professionals seeking to unlock historical freight data insights. By consolidating multiple data sources into a single REST API, FreightPulse simplifies the integration process and enhances the ability to analyze market trends effectively. With endpoints that provide real-time fuel prices, freight rates, port congestion data, and carrier information, FreightPulse empowers developers and operators to make informed decisions that drive efficiency and reduce costs.
Whether you are a developer building logistics applications or a logistics operator looking to optimize your supply chain, FreightPulse is the fastest path from zero to production logistics data. Start exploring the API today and see how it can transform your operations. Try FreightPulse for free and unlock the potential of your logistics data.