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Introduction

In today's fast-paced logistics environment, supply chain professionals face numerous challenges, from fluctuating fuel prices to unpredictable port congestion. The need for real-time data and insights has never been more critical. Traditional methods of gathering this information often involve stitching together multiple data sources, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs. 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 access to a wealth of data, including EIA fuel prices, live full-truckload (FTL) freight rate quotes, port congestion data, carrier lookups, and natural-disruption alerts. By replacing scattered integrations and expensive paid feeds, FreightPulse empowers developers, logistics operators, and supply chain teams to automate processes and make informed decisions quickly. In this blog post, we will explore the advanced features of the FreightPulse API and how they enhance supply chain automation.

Why FreightPulse

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

Quick Start

Getting started with the FreightPulse API 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 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 regions and historical averages.

Key Parameters: None required.

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

Sample 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
}
}
}
}
}

This endpoint is crucial for logistics operators who need to calculate fuel surcharges based on current fuel prices.

2. GET /freight-rates

This endpoint provides live FTL truckload quotes for US lanes, allowing users to obtain pricing information based on various parameters.

Key Parameters: mode (trucking, ocean, air), origin_zip, destination_zip (required for trucking), origin_country, dest_zip (required for ocean/air), pickup_date, qty, total_weight_lb, container_size (ocean only).

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

Sample 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"
}
}

This endpoint is particularly useful for freight forwarders and logistics teams looking to optimize their shipping costs and transit times.

3. GET /port-congestion

This endpoint provides port activity data from IMF PortWatch, offering insights into port congestion levels.

Key Parameters: at least one of port (name or LOCODE), country (name or ISO3), region (continent); congestion (low|moderate|high) optional filter.

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

Sample 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
}
}
]
}
}

This endpoint is essential for logistics teams to monitor port congestion and adjust their shipping schedules accordingly. It’s important to note that the port congestion figures are approximations based on historical data and may not reflect real-time conditions.

Real-World Use Cases

FreightPulse's API capabilities can be leveraged in various practical applications:

FAQ

How often do FreightPulse fuel prices update?

Fuel prices are updated weekly based on data from the EIA, providing users with timely insights into market fluctuations.

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

Yes, the FreightPulse API allows users to look up both ocean NVOCC/OTI carriers and US trucking carriers using the /carriers endpoint.

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

No, the port congestion data is based on historical averages and is not real-time. It provides a 7-day average of port calls compared to a 90-day baseline.

Conclusion

FreightPulse is revolutionizing the way logistics professionals access and utilize critical supply chain data. By consolidating multiple data sources into a single REST API, FreightPulse not only simplifies the integration process but also enhances the decision-making capabilities of developers and operators alike. With features like live freight rate quotes, comprehensive carrier data, and natural-disruption alerts, FreightPulse provides the tools necessary for modern supply chain automation.

Ready to streamline your logistics operations? Try FreightPulse for free and experience the power of consolidated logistics intelligence today!