Introduction
In the fast-paced world of logistics, managing vendor relationships and ensuring timely deliveries can be a daunting task. Logistics operators often face challenges such as fluctuating fuel prices, unpredictable freight rates, and port congestion that can disrupt supply chains. These issues not only affect operational efficiency but also impact profitability. As a result, logistics teams are in dire need of a solution that consolidates critical logistics intelligence into a single, accessible platform.
This is where FreightPulse comes into play. FreightPulse is a REST API designed to streamline vendor management by providing real-time logistics data, including EIA fuel prices, live full-truckload (FTL) freight rate quotes, port congestion data, carrier lookups, and natural-disruption alerts. By integrating these disparate data sources into one API, FreightPulse eliminates the need for multiple integrations and costly paid feeds, allowing logistics operators to focus on what they do best: delivering goods efficiently and effectively.
Why FreightPulse
FreightPulse stands out in the logistics landscape for several reasons that directly benefit developers and logistics operators:
- Unified Data Source: Instead of stitching together multiple feeds for fuel prices, freight rates, port congestion, and carrier data, FreightPulse provides all this information through a single API. This not only simplifies the integration process but also reduces the time and resources spent on managing multiple data sources.
- Real-Time Insights: With live FTL freight rate quotes and up-to-date fuel prices, logistics operators can make informed decisions quickly. For instance, knowing the current fuel price can help in calculating accurate shipping costs, while real-time freight rates allow for better pricing strategies.
- Natural-Disruption Alerts: FreightPulse offers a unique natural-disruption feed that alerts users to potential hazards like cyclones and earthquakes. This feature enables logistics teams to proactively manage risks and reroute shipments as necessary, ensuring that deliveries remain on schedule.
- Guest Access: FreightPulse allows users to explore its capabilities without the friction of signing up for an API key. With 100 requests per day available for guest users, developers can quickly test the API and understand its value before committing to a subscription.
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 request. Here’s an example of how to fetch 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: Indicates the source of the data, in this case, the EIA.data: Contains the actual fuel price data, including national averages and regional breakdowns.
Core Endpoints
FreightPulse offers several core endpoints that are essential for logistics operations. Below are three key endpoints relevant to vendor management:
1. GET /fuel-prices
This endpoint provides 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 Explanation: The regions object provides a breakdown of diesel prices by region, which is crucial for calculating shipping costs based on fuel expenses.
2. GET /freight-rates
This endpoint returns live FTL truckload quotes for US lanes, allowing logistics operators to assess shipping costs in real-time.
Key Parameters: mode (default is trucking), origin_zip, destination_zip.
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 Explanation: The price_usd field indicates the cost of shipping, while transit_days provides an estimate of how long the shipment will take, which is essential for planning logistics operations.
3. GET /port-congestion
This endpoint provides data on port activity, allowing logistics operators to assess congestion levels at various ports.
Key Parameters: At least one of port, country, or region.
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 Explanation: The congestion field indicates the current congestion level, which helps logistics operators make informed decisions about routing shipments to avoid delays.
Real-World Use Cases
FreightPulse's API can be leveraged in various ways to enhance logistics operations. Here are three concrete examples:
- Fuel-Surcharge Calculator: By integrating the
/fuel-pricesendpoint, logistics operators can build a fuel-surcharge calculator that adjusts shipping costs based on real-time fuel prices. This ensures that pricing remains competitive and reflective of current market conditions. - Port-Congestion Dashboard: Freight forwarders can create a dashboard using the
/port-congestionendpoint to monitor congestion levels at key ports. This tool can help in planning shipments and avoiding delays caused by high congestion. - Carrier Vetting Tool: 3PL providers can utilize the
/carriersendpoint to build a carrier vetting tool that assesses the safety ratings and operational status of trucking carriers. This ensures that only reliable carriers are used for shipments, reducing the risk of delays and service failures.
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 feature provides comprehensive visibility into carrier options across different modes of transportation.
Does the port congestion data reflect real-time vessel wait times?
No, the port congestion data provided by FreightPulse is a lagged approximation based on a 7-day average of port calls compared to a 90-day baseline. This means it does not reflect real-time vessel wait times but rather gives an indication of congestion trends over time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, FreightPulse is a powerful tool for logistics operators looking to streamline vendor management and enhance operational efficiency. By consolidating critical logistics intelligence into a single API, FreightPulse eliminates the complexities of managing multiple data sources and provides real-time insights that are essential for making informed decisions.
Whether you are a developer building logistics applications or a logistics operator seeking to optimize your supply chain, FreightPulse offers the fastest path from zero to production logistics data. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to leverage this innovative API to improve your operations.
Ready to get started? Try FreightPulse for free and see how it can transform your logistics operations today!