Introduction
In the fast-paced world of logistics and supply chain management, having access to real-time data is crucial for making informed decisions. However, many logistics operators and developers face significant challenges when it comes to integrating multiple data sources. Traditionally, businesses have relied on scattered integrations and expensive paid feeds to access essential logistics intelligence, such as fuel prices, freight rates, port congestion, and carrier information. This fragmented approach not only complicates the development process but also leads to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Enter FreightPulse, a powerful REST API that consolidates all the critical logistics data into a single, easy-to-use interface. By leveraging FreightPulse, developers and logistics operators can streamline their operations, reduce integration complexity, and gain a competitive edge in the supply chain landscape. In this blog post, we will explore how FreightPulse can transform your logistics operations by providing comprehensive insights and analytics.
Why FreightPulse
FreightPulse stands out in the logistics data landscape for several compelling reasons:
- Unified Data Access: With FreightPulse, you no longer need to stitch together multiple data feeds from different providers. The API consolidates EIA fuel data, live FTL freight quotes, port congestion data, carrier verification, and disruption monitoring into one seamless interface. This means developers can save time and resources by eliminating the need for complex integrations.
- Real-Time Insights: FreightPulse provides live US FTL freight rate quotes alongside historical diesel and gasoline price series in the same JSON schema. This allows logistics operators to make data-driven decisions quickly, optimizing their supply chain operations based on the latest market conditions.
- Comprehensive Carrier Data: The API offers FMCSA SAFER lookups for US trucking carriers, including DOT numbers, safety ratings, and active driver counts. Additionally, it provides ocean carrier lookups through the FMC directory, enabling logistics teams to vet carriers effectively and ensure compliance.
- Natural Disruption Alerts: FreightPulse includes a natural-disruption feed that consolidates data from GDACS, USGS, and NOAA/NWS. This feature allows users to filter alerts by port radius, helping them anticipate and mitigate the impact of severe weather events on shipments.
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 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:
- 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 logistics data. Below, we will cover three key endpoints relevant to freight analytics:
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"
Example 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 for localized analysis.
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"
Example 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 being offered (e.g., FTL).
- price_usd: The quoted price for the shipment.
- transit_days: The estimated number of days for transit.
- pickup_date: The date when the shipment will be picked up.
- delivery_date: The expected delivery date.
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 (name or ISO3), region (continent).
curl -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" "https://freightpulsehq.com/api/v1/port-congestion?port=USLAX"
Example 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 related to port activity, including recent and baseline averages.
Real-World Use Cases
FreightPulse can be leveraged in various ways to enhance logistics operations. Here are three concrete examples:
- Fuel-Surcharge Calculator: Logistics teams can build a fuel-surcharge calculator that uses the /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: Freight forwarders can create a port-congestion dashboard using the /port-congestion endpoint. This dashboard can provide real-time insights into congestion levels at key ports, helping teams make informed decisions about routing and scheduling.
- Carrier Vetting Tool: 3PL providers can develop a carrier vetting tool that utilizes the /carriers endpoint to verify the safety ratings and active driver counts of potential trucking carriers. This ensures compliance and enhances the reliability of their logistics network.
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 market conditions.
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 /carriers endpoint. This comprehensive approach ensures that logistics teams can vet all types of carriers effectively.
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. The data is approximated from IMF PortWatch AIS data and reflects congestion levels compared to a 90-day baseline.
Conclusion
In today's competitive logistics landscape, having access to real-time data is essential for success. FreightPulse offers a comprehensive solution that consolidates critical logistics intelligence into a single API, enabling developers and logistics operators to streamline their operations and make data-driven decisions. By leveraging FreightPulse, you can eliminate the complexities of managing multiple data sources and gain valuable insights into fuel prices, freight rates, port congestion, carrier data, and natural disruption alerts.
Don't let fragmented data hold you back. Try FreightPulse for free today and unlock the full potential of your supply chain operations. With a user-friendly API and powerful analytics capabilities, FreightPulse is your fastest path from zero to production logistics data.