Introduction
In today's fast-paced logistics environment, operational agility is paramount for supply chain teams. The ability to make informed decisions based on real-time data can significantly enhance efficiency and reduce costs. However, many logistics operators face challenges due to fragmented data sources, which can lead to delays and inaccuracies in decision-making. This is where FreightPulse comes into play, offering a comprehensive REST API that consolidates critical logistics intelligence into a single, easy-to-use platform.
FreightPulse provides access to essential data such as EIA fuel prices, live full-truckload (FTL) freight rate quotes, port congestion metrics, carrier lookups, and natural-disruption alerts. By integrating these data points into one API, FreightPulse eliminates the need for multiple integrations and costly subscriptions, allowing supply chain teams to focus on what matters most: optimizing their operations and improving service delivery.
Why FreightPulse
FreightPulse stands out in the logistics data landscape for several reasons:
- Unified Data Access: Instead of stitching together multiple data feeds from different providers, FreightPulse offers a single API that encompasses all necessary logistics intelligence. This means developers can save time and resources by avoiding the complexities of managing multiple integrations.
- Real-Time Insights: With live FTL freight rate quotes and up-to-date fuel prices, FreightPulse enables logistics operators to make timely decisions that can affect their bottom line. For instance, knowing current fuel prices can help in calculating accurate fuel surcharges, while real-time freight rates can optimize shipment planning.
- Comprehensive Carrier Information: The API provides detailed insights into US trucking carriers, including safety ratings and active driver counts. This information is crucial for 3PL providers and freight forwarders who need to vet carriers effectively and ensure compliance with safety standards.
- Natural Disruption Alerts: FreightPulse aggregates data from various sources to provide alerts on natural disruptions, such as cyclones and earthquakes. This feature allows supply chain teams to proactively manage risks and reroute shipments as necessary, minimizing delays and losses.
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 in your request 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 valuable data for supply chain teams. Below are three key endpoints relevant to operational agility:
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 Explanation:
- national_average: The average price of diesel or gasoline across the nation.
- change_week: The change in price over the past week.
- regions: A breakdown of prices by region, allowing for localized decision-making.
2. GET /freight-rates
This endpoint provides live FTL truckload quotes for US lanes, enabling logistics teams to optimize their 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 Explanation:
- mode: The mode of transportation (e.g., trucking).
- 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 teams manage shipping schedules effectively.
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:
- congestion: The level of congestion at the port (low, moderate, high).
- metrics: Contains metrics such as recent average port calls per day compared to a baseline, providing context for congestion levels.
Real-World Use Cases
FreightPulse's API can be leveraged in various ways to enhance operational agility. Here are three concrete examples:
- Fuel-Surcharge Calculator: A logistics company can build a fuel-surcharge calculator that pulls current diesel prices from the
/fuel-pricesendpoint. By integrating this data with their shipment costs, they can accurately calculate surcharges based on fluctuating fuel prices. - Port-Congestion Dashboard: A freight forwarder can create a dashboard that visualizes port congestion data from the
/port-congestionendpoint. This tool can help them make informed decisions about shipment routing and timing, ultimately improving delivery performance. - Carrier Vetting Tool: A 3PL provider can develop a carrier vetting tool that utilizes the
/carriersendpoint to verify the safety ratings and active driver counts of potential carriers. This ensures compliance and enhances the reliability of their logistics operations.
FAQ
How often do FreightPulse fuel prices update?
Fuel prices are updated regularly based on data from the EIA, providing users with timely insights into current market conditions. This allows logistics teams to make informed decisions regarding fuel surcharges and budgeting.
Can I look up ocean carriers as well as trucking carriers?
Yes, the FreightPulse API allows users to look up both ocean and trucking carriers through the /carriers endpoint. This feature is essential for logistics operators who need to vet carriers across different modes of transportation.
Does the port congestion data reflect real-time vessel wait times?
No, the port congestion data provided by FreightPulse is based on a lagged approximation from IMF PortWatch data. 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, FreightPulse offers a powerful solution for enterprise supply chain teams looking to enhance their operational agility through real-time data utilization. By consolidating critical logistics intelligence into a single REST API, FreightPulse simplifies the integration process and provides developers with the tools they need to make informed decisions quickly.
Whether you're looking to optimize fuel costs, manage port congestion, or vet carriers effectively, FreightPulse has the capabilities to support your logistics operations. Don't let fragmented data sources hold you back—leverage the power of FreightPulse to streamline your supply chain processes.
Try FreightPulse for free and discover how you can transform your logistics operations today!