Introduction
In the fast-paced world of logistics and supply chain management, market analysts and operators face a myriad of challenges. From fluctuating fuel prices to unpredictable port congestion, the need for real-time data 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 leveraging this API, developers and logistics operators can create custom dashboards that provide actionable insights, streamline operations, and ultimately enhance decision-making processes. In this blog post, we will explore how FreightPulse can be tailored to meet the specific needs of market analysts through innovative dashboard solutions.
Why FreightPulse
FreightPulse stands out in the logistics data landscape for several reasons:
- Unified Data Source: Instead of relying on multiple integrations for EIA fuel data, freight rates, port congestion, and carrier verification, FreightPulse offers a single API that consolidates all this information. This eliminates the need for complex stitching of disparate data feeds, saving developers time and reducing the risk of errors.
- Real-Time and Historical Insights: With FreightPulse, users can access live FTL freight rate quotes alongside historical diesel and gasoline price series in the same JSON schema. This allows for more accurate forecasting and better decision-making based on both current and historical data.
- Comprehensive Carrier Lookups: The API provides FMCSA SAFER lookups for US trucking carriers, including safety ratings and active driver counts, as well as FMC NVOCC/OTI ocean carrier lookups. This feature is invaluable for 3PL providers and freight forwarders who need to vet carriers quickly and efficiently.
- Natural Disruption Alerts: FreightPulse offers a natural-disruption feed that consolidates alerts from GDACS, USGS, and NOAA/NWS. This allows logistics operators to filter disruptions by port radius, enabling proactive measures to mitigate the impact of severe weather or other natural 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 in the 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, 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.
- national_average: The average price of diesel or gasoline across the nation.
- regions: A breakdown of prices by region, allowing for localized insights.
- historical: Historical averages that provide context for current prices.
Core Endpoints
FreightPulse offers several core endpoints that are particularly relevant for market analysts. Below, we will cover three key endpoints in detail:
1. GET /fuel-prices
This endpoint retrieves national diesel and gasoline prices, along with a breakdown by PADD region.
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 U.S.
- change_week: The change in price over the past week.
- regions: A detailed breakdown of prices by region, which can help analysts identify trends and make informed decisions.
2. GET /freight-rates
This endpoint provides live FTL truckload quotes for U.S. lanes, allowing users to compare rates across different modes of transport.
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 transport for the quote (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 data on port activity, including congestion levels based on IMF PortWatch data.
Key Parameters: port (name or LOCODE), country (name or ISO3), region (continent); congestion (optional filter).
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 such as recent average port calls per day and a ratio compared to the baseline.
Real-World Use Cases
FreightPulse's API can be leveraged in various ways to create innovative solutions for logistics challenges. Here are three concrete examples:
- Fuel-Surcharge Calculator: By integrating the /fuel-prices endpoint, logistics companies can build a fuel-surcharge calculator that automatically adjusts shipping costs based on current fuel prices. This ensures that pricing remains competitive and fair, reflecting real-time market conditions.
- Port-Congestion Dashboard: Freight forwarders can utilize the /port-congestion endpoint to create a dashboard that visualizes congestion levels at key ports. This tool can help them make informed decisions about routing and scheduling, ultimately improving delivery times and customer satisfaction.
- Carrier Vetting Tool: 3PL providers can develop a carrier vetting tool using the /carriers endpoint to quickly assess the safety ratings and operational status of potential trucking partners. This ensures that they are working with reliable carriers, reducing the risk of delays and compliance issues.
FAQ
How often do FreightPulse fuel prices update?
Fuel prices are updated weekly, providing users with timely information to make informed decisions regarding shipping costs and budgeting.
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, making it a versatile tool for logistics operators.
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 trend analysis but should not be relied upon for immediate operational decisions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, FreightPulse offers a powerful solution for market analysts and logistics operators seeking to harness real-time logistics intelligence. By consolidating critical data into a single API, FreightPulse eliminates the complexities associated with managing multiple data sources. Whether you are building a custom dashboard for fuel pricing, port congestion, or carrier vetting, FreightPulse provides the tools necessary to enhance operational efficiency and decision-making.
Ready to transform your logistics operations? Try FreightPulse for free today and discover how our API can streamline your data integration and empower your business with actionable insights.