If you thought October was just the calm before the holiday storm, think again. This year, it's one of the busiest and most volatile shipping months we've seen in a while. And the challenges aren't coming from the usual suspects.
Peak season is here, but it doesn't look like it used to.
Why October Matters More Than You Think
October has always been busy. Retailers stock up for the holidays. Manufacturers push product before year-end. But according to recent industry analysis, this year the pressure is coming from multiple directions at once.
Tariff changes are forcing importers to shift supply chains mid-stride. Consumer demand is uneven, with essentials like food and household goods staying strong while luxury items slow down. And capacity? It's all over the map depending on where you're shipping and what you're moving.
The result is a freight market that's shifting week to week. What worked last month might not work this month. And brokers who aren't staying ahead of it are going to feel it.
Capacity Is a Regional Game
Here's the reality: capacity isn't tight everywhere, and it isn't loose everywhere. It depends entirely on your lanes.
East Coast and Gulf Coast ports are seeing tighter dry van capacity as imports adjust to new tariff structures. Shippers in those regions are paying more and booking earlier just to lock in trucks. Meanwhile, the Midwest has more available capacity, which means better rates and more flexibility for shippers who know where to look.
If you're an agent working multiple regions, this is where your value shows up. Knowing which markets have capacity and which don't can save your shippers money and headaches. It also means you need to be monitoring this stuff constantly, not just when a shipper calls with an urgent load.
The Christmas Tree Crunch Is Real
This one catches people off guard every year. More than 25 million Christmas trees get shipped nationwide, mostly from Oregon, North Carolina, and Michigan. That short, high-demand window makes reefer trailers harder to find in those regions for a few weeks.
If you've got shippers moving temperature-sensitive freight in or out of those areas, plan ahead. Rates are going up, and availability is going down. It's predictable, but only if you're paying attention.
Weather and Freight Don't Mix
October brings shorter days and cooler weather, which directly impacts open-deck and oversize freight. Northern regions can expect frost, which means shippers need to consider using Conestoga or dry van trailers for sensitive freight instead of flatbeds.
Construction also starts to slow down in colder areas, which frees up some flatbed capacity in the Midwest. But tariffs on steel and energy-sector demand in the South are driving rate volatility in the opposite direction. If you're quoting flatbed right now, don't assume last week's rate is still good this week.
Oversize hauls also face travel restrictions around major football weekends and holidays like Columbus Day. If you're moving oversize freight and didn't factor that in, you're about to learn the hard way.
Book Early or Pay Later
The advice sounds obvious, but it's worth repeating because too many shippers still wait until the last minute. Industry experts recommend securing loads two to three days in advance right now, and it's not just smart, it's necessary.
Spot market capacity is strained. If you're relying on last-minute bookings, you're gambling with your shipper's schedule and your reputation. Appointment availability is getting harder to lock down, and demurrage charges are piling up when things don't go as planned.
For agents, this is where having reliable carrier partnerships and the right tools makes all the difference. If you're still scrambling to find trucks the day before pickup, you're behind.
The Real Test
Anyone can move freight when capacity is wide open and rates are stable. October isn't that. This is the month that separates brokers who are just moving loads from the ones who are managing supply chains.
Shippers are dealing with enough uncertainty right now. Tariffs, shifting consumer demand, and unpredictable capacity mean they need partners who see around corners, not brokers who react after the fact.
For agents, this is your moment to prove value. Know your lanes. Understand regional differences. Anticipate problems before they show up. And communicate like your shipper's reputation depends on it, because it does.
Peak season doesn't care about excuses. It rewards preparation and punishes complacency. The question is which side you're on.
Sources:
Industry insights and data compiled from TruckersReport Trucking Industry Update - October 2025
