While the peak season for shipping in 2025 may not match the highs of recent years, it’s still a time when volumes spike and shippers scramble to secure capacity so loads go out on time. Even if your company isn’t addressing consumer holiday demand, everyone is still impacted by the annual crunch.
Peak season runs from July or August through December, by which time inventory has arrived and been slotted for retail holiday fulfillment. A bit more than a third of annual freight volume moves during this period.
According to trucking experts in a late August Commercial Carrier Journal video, truckload demand remained sluggish heading into peak season, based on low consumer demand, with contract rates mostly flat. The July Cass Freight Index for shipments was down 6.9% year over year, reflective of the end of volume pull forward ahead of the Trump tariffs.
Despite the muted conditions, shippers must still plan strategically to avoid missed deliveries, rising spot rates, and disruptive supply chain bottlenecks. Success depends on visibility, flexibility, and proactive management.
Peak season doesn’t affect every shipper equally, but its ripple effects reach across the supply chain. Traditional retail holiday demand drives higher volumes, along with agricultural shipments. All of this pushes more freight into the system, causing congestion and extending delivery times.
Structural challenges also make the environment more complex. Driver shortages and turnover limit available capacity. Rising fuel costs keep pressure on budgets. Warehouses and distribution centers may be short-staffed, straining efficiency as peak hits.
Mid-market shippers often feel the crunch the hardest. While large enterprise shippers can leverage their freight spend to lock in capacity, smaller organizations are left competing for the same trucks, often at higher rates. Without a clear plan, they risk falling behind during the most critical quarter of the year.
Shippers that thrive during peak season are the ones that plan ahead and remain agile when conditions change. Forecasting and advanced planning provide the foundation, scheduling trucks in advance to get a head start before lanes tighten. Strong carrier partnerships add another layer of security, ensuring access to committed capacity even when demand surges.
Flexibility is equally important. Shippers that adapt routing, shifting some freight into partial truckloads, LTL, or intermodal, create breathing room when truckload space is scarce. Consolidating loads further maximizes efficiency, reduces the number of moves, keeping costs under control. Many mid-market shippers also find value in diversifying their networks, blending regional and national carriers to reduce dependency on single source.
A transportation management system (TMS), predictive analytics, and shipment tracking, give logistics teams the visibility needed to make confident real-time decisions. This not only keeps freight moving but also protects shippers from paying inflated spot market premiums at the last minute.
Even with preparation, peak season brings recurring challenges. Paperwork and compliance missteps can cause unnecessary delays, while port and urban congestion adds time and cost to shipments. Limited capacity is another persistent problem, leaving some freight stranded or forcing last-minute shifts into higher-priced markets.
Visibility gaps compound the issue, particularly for businesses working with multiple carriers or brokers without centralized systems to track performance. At the same time, scaling internal operations can prove overwhelming. Logistics teams are often stretched thin as volume spikes, leaving little room for proactive problem-solving. This is why working with an experienced logistics partner is essential for mid-market shippers who want to thrive in peak season.
Transportation Services of America (TSA) steps in as the high-touch solution that mid-market shippers need to remain competitive during peak season 2025. In business since 1985, our reputation is built on answering calls, quick problem-solving, and supporting shippers with a combination of advanced technology and high-touch service.
Here are some of the many benefits TSA brings to the table to help facilitate peak logistics:
For businesses caught between large enterprise players and volatile spot markets, TSA delivers the stability and personal service required to successfully navigate peak season.
Peak season 2025 may not bring record-setting volumes, but it will still test shippers’ resilience. Those that thrive will invest in forecasting, flexibility, and trusted partnerships. With TSA, you can count on reliable capacity, efficient operations, and shipments that arrive on time at a competitive rate.
Contact TSA to secure reliable capacity, optimize operations, and ensure your peak-season shipments arrive on time and on budget. Get in touch with us to learn more.