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Introduction

In today's fast-paced logistics environment, supply chain disruptions can have significant repercussions on businesses, leading to increased costs, delayed shipments, and dissatisfied customers. As a freight forwarder or logistics operator, the ability to anticipate and respond to these disruptions is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. However, many organizations struggle with fragmented data sources, making it challenging to develop robust contingency protocols.

This is where FreightPulse comes into play. By consolidating real-time logistics intelligence into a single REST API, FreightPulse empowers developers and logistics teams to access critical data points such as fuel prices, freight rates, port congestion, carrier information, and natural disruption alerts. This comprehensive approach not only simplifies data integration but also enhances decision-making capabilities, enabling organizations to mitigate supply chain disruptions effectively.

Why FreightPulse

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

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 can use the following cURL command 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. It is essential for applications that need to calculate fuel surcharges or analyze fuel cost trends.

Key Parameters: None required.

cURL Example:

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:

2. GET /freight-rates

This endpoint provides live FTL truckload quotes for US lanes, making it essential for applications that require real-time pricing information.

Key Parameters: mode (trucking, ocean, air), origin_zip, destination_zip (required for trucking).

cURL Example:

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:

3. GET /port-congestion

This endpoint provides port activity data, allowing users to assess congestion levels at major ports. This information is crucial for planning shipments and avoiding delays.

Key Parameters: port (name or LOCODE), country (name or ISO3), region (continent).

cURL Example:

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:

Real-World Use Cases

1. Fuel Surcharge Calculator

Logistics companies can build a fuel surcharge calculator that uses the /fuel-prices endpoint to dynamically adjust shipping costs based on current fuel prices. By integrating real-time fuel data, companies can ensure that their pricing remains competitive and reflective of market conditions.

2. Port Congestion Dashboard

A freight forwarder can create a port congestion dashboard using the /port-congestion endpoint to visualize congestion levels at key ports. This tool can help logistics teams make informed decisions about routing and scheduling, ultimately reducing delays and improving service levels.

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 ensures that only reliable carriers are selected for shipments, enhancing overall supply chain reliability.

FAQ

How often do FreightPulse fuel prices update?

Fuel prices are updated weekly, providing users with the most current data available. This frequency allows logistics teams to make timely 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 carriers and trucking carriers using the /carriers endpoint. This feature is essential for logistics companies that manage multimodal shipments.

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

No, the port congestion data is based on a 7-day average and is not real-time. It provides a lagged approximation of port activity, which is useful for identifying trends but should not be relied upon for immediate vessel wait times.

Conclusion

In an era where supply chain disruptions can significantly impact business operations, having access to reliable and comprehensive logistics data is more critical than ever. FreightPulse offers a powerful solution for freight forwarders, logistics operators, and supply chain teams by consolidating essential data into a single API. This unified approach not only simplifies data integration but also enhances decision-making capabilities, enabling organizations to respond proactively to disruptions.

By leveraging the capabilities of FreightPulse, teams can build robust contingency protocols, optimize their operations, and ultimately deliver better service to their customers. Whether you're developing a fuel surcharge calculator, a port congestion dashboard, or a carrier vetting tool, FreightPulse provides the data you need to succeed.

Ready to transform your logistics operations? Try FreightPulse for free and discover the power of real-time logistics intelligence today!