Introduction
In today's fast-paced logistics environment, real-time visibility into supply chain operations is not just a luxury; it's a necessity. Logistics operators face numerous challenges, from fluctuating fuel prices to unpredictable port congestion and natural disruptions. These factors can significantly impact operational efficiency and cost management. Without access to consolidated, real-time data, logistics teams often find themselves piecing together information from multiple sources, leading to inefficiencies and increased operational costs.
This is where FreightPulse comes into play. FreightPulse is a powerful REST API that consolidates critical logistics intelligence into a single, easy-to-use interface. By leveraging FreightPulse, logistics operators can gain predictive insights that enhance decision-making and streamline operations. In this blog post, we will explore how FreightPulse can transform your logistics operations by providing real-time data on fuel prices, freight rates, port congestion, carrier information, and natural disruption alerts—all from one API.
Why FreightPulse
FreightPulse stands out in the logistics data landscape for several reasons:
- Consolidation of Data Sources: FreightPulse eliminates the need for multiple integrations by providing a single API that covers EIA fuel data, live freight quotes, port congestion, carrier verification, and disruption monitoring. This means logistics operators can save time and resources that would otherwise be spent managing disparate data feeds.
- Real-Time Insights: With FreightPulse, users can access live US full-truckload (FTL) freight rate quotes alongside historical fuel price data in the same JSON schema. This integration allows for more accurate cost forecasting and budgeting, enabling logistics teams to make informed decisions quickly.
- Natural Disruption Alerts: FreightPulse offers a unique natural-disruption feed that provides alerts for cyclones, earthquakes, and severe weather events. This feature allows logistics operators to proactively manage risks and reroute shipments as necessary, minimizing delays and losses.
- Guest Access: FreightPulse allows users to explore its capabilities without the need for an API key, offering 100 requests per day per IP. This low-friction access encourages experimentation and integration into existing systems.
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
1. GET /fuel-prices
This endpoint provides national diesel and gasoline prices, along with a breakdown by PADD region and historical averages.
Key Parameters: None required.
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:
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 operators to understand regional variations.historical: Historical averages that help in trend 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, 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"
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:
mode: The mode of transportation (e.g., trucking, ocean, air).service: The type of service provided (e.g., FTL).price_usd: The quoted price for the shipment.transit_days: The estimated number of days for transit.pickup_dateanddelivery_date: Important for scheduling and planning.
3. GET /port-congestion
This endpoint provides data on port activity, allowing logistics operators to assess congestion levels at major ports.
Key Parameters: port, country, region.
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:
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 against the baseline, which helps in understanding congestion trends.
Real-World Use Cases
FreightPulse can be leveraged in various ways to enhance logistics operations:
- Fuel-Surcharge Calculator: By integrating the
/fuel-pricesendpoint, logistics operators can build a fuel-surcharge calculator that automatically adjusts shipping costs based on current fuel prices. This ensures that pricing remains competitive and reflective of market conditions. - Port-Congestion Dashboard: Freight forwarders can utilize the
/port-congestionendpoint to create a dashboard that visualizes 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 use 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 risk. - Disruption Alert System: By leveraging the
/disruptionsendpoint, logistics teams can create an alert system that notifies them of natural hazards affecting their shipments. This proactive approach allows for timely rerouting and risk management.
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 supports lookups for both ocean carriers and trucking carriers through the /carriers endpoint. This feature allows logistics operators to verify the status and safety ratings of various carriers 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 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 an industry where every second counts, having access to real-time logistics intelligence is crucial for success. FreightPulse offers a comprehensive solution that consolidates essential data into a single API, enabling logistics operators to make informed decisions quickly and efficiently. By leveraging FreightPulse, teams can enhance their operational capabilities, reduce costs, and improve service levels.
Don't let fragmented data sources hold your logistics operations back. Try FreightPulse for free today and unlock the power of real-time supply chain monitoring. Experience firsthand how predictive insights can transform your logistics operations and drive your business forward.