Introduction
In today's fast-paced logistics environment, supply chain resilience is more critical than ever. Disruptions can arise from various sources, including fluctuating fuel prices, port congestion, and natural disasters. These challenges can lead to increased operational costs, delayed shipments, and ultimately, dissatisfied customers. To navigate these complexities, logistics operators and supply chain teams need access to real-time data that can inform their decision-making processes.
This is where FreightPulse comes into play. By consolidating multiple data sources into a single REST API, FreightPulse provides logistics professionals with the insights they need to enhance supply chain resilience. From live freight rate quotes to port congestion data and natural disruption alerts, FreightPulse equips developers and operators with the tools to adapt and respond effectively to changing conditions.
Why FreightPulse
FreightPulse stands out in the logistics data landscape for several reasons:
- Unified Data Access: Instead of stitching together multiple integrations for EIA fuel data, freight rates, port congestion, and carrier verification, FreightPulse offers a single API that simplifies data access. This reduces development time and costs, allowing teams to focus on building value-added features rather than managing disparate data sources.
- Real-Time Insights: With live US full-truckload (FTL) freight rate quotes and historical fuel price data available in the same JSON schema, developers can create applications that provide accurate cost estimates and fuel surcharge calculations. This capability is essential for logistics operators looking to optimize their pricing strategies.
- Natural Disruption Alerts: FreightPulse's natural-disruption feed allows users to filter alerts by port radius, enabling proactive measures to mitigate the impact of severe weather events or geological hazards. This feature is invaluable for shipment tracking and planning, ensuring that operators can make informed decisions in real-time.
- Guest Access: FreightPulse offers guest access without the need for an API key, allowing users to explore the API's capabilities with 100 requests per day. This low-friction entry point encourages experimentation and integration into existing systems.
Quick Start
To get started with the FreightPulse API, you'll first need to familiarize yourself with the base URL and authentication method. The base URL for all API requests is:
https://freightpulsehq.com/api/v1
For authentication, you will need to include the X-API-Key header in your requests. Here’s an example of how to make your first request 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
1. GET /fuel-prices
This endpoint provides national diesel and gasoline prices, along with a breakdown by PADD region 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 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 obtain accurate pricing for their shipments.
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, allowing users to assess congestion levels at major ports.
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 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 assess port efficiency.
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 automatically calculate surcharges based on fluctuating fuel costs, ensuring accurate pricing for their customers.
2. Port-Congestion Dashboard
Freight forwarders can create a port-congestion dashboard utilizing 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 leverages the /carriers endpoint to verify the status and safety ratings of trucking carriers. This tool can help ensure that only reliable carriers are selected for shipments, reducing the risk of delays and compliance issues.
FAQ
How often do FreightPulse fuel prices update?
Fuel prices are updated weekly, providing users with the most current data available from the EIA. This frequency allows logistics operators to make timely decisions based on the latest market conditions.
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. This flexibility enables comprehensive carrier vetting across different modes of transportation.
Does the port congestion data reflect real-time vessel wait times?
No, the port congestion data is based on a 7-day average of port calls compared to a 90-day baseline. This means that while it provides valuable insights into congestion trends, it does not reflect real-time vessel wait times.
Conclusion
In an era where supply chain disruptions are increasingly common, having access to reliable and real-time logistics data is essential for maintaining operational efficiency. FreightPulse offers a powerful solution by consolidating multiple data sources into a single API, enabling logistics operators to enhance their supply chain resilience.
By leveraging FreightPulse's capabilities, developers can build applications that provide actionable insights, streamline operations, and ultimately improve customer satisfaction. Whether you're looking to calculate fuel surcharges, monitor port congestion, or vet carriers, FreightPulse is your fastest path from zero to production logistics data.
Ready to transform your logistics operations? Try FreightPulse for free and discover the power of real-time logistics intelligence today!