Capacity always tightens as the year winds down. Drivers take time off, retailers flood the roads with product, and winter weather slows everything down. The result? Booking freight in the fourth quarter requires more planning and stronger partnerships than at any other time of the year.
Why Capacity Tightens at Year-End
Several familiar forces line up in Q4:
- Drivers take time off. Many drivers step back around the holidays, reducing the number of trucks available to cover loads.
- Retail demand spikes. Consumer goods take priority as stores stock up for holiday shoppers, pulling trucks into retail supply chains.
- Flatbed freight pushes through. Steel and building materials often move before winter halts construction in cold-weather states.
- Agriculture has no wiggle room. Produce and perishables must move, competing for the same limited pool of trucks.
- Weather slows everything down. Snow, ice, and chaining requirements in the Northwest and Northeast make trips longer and harder. Even simple tarp jobs get trickier in freezing conditions.
“Bridgeway’s trucks and drivers are fully equipped for inclement weather and to meet DOT regulations. Weather doesn’t stop us,” says Ian Younce, Director of Business Development for Bridgeway.
- Regulations tighten. With stricter DOT enforcement at year’s end, compliance can sideline unprepared carriers.
This Year Looks Different
Not every Q4 plays out the same way. In 2025, tariffs shifted the usual demand curve. Many companies moved goods earlier in the year to get ahead of new costs, leaving less freight hitting U.S. ports late in the season (WSJ; SF Chronicle).
“I’m not seeing demand being there for a big year-end push. The only capacity crunch we might see is if the new enforcement of English-speaking drivers has an impact. But I’m not seeing a huge push out of the ports right now,” says Andy Sommers, Chief Commercial Officer of Bridgeway.
Takeaway for shippers: Even if the crunch softens, unpredictability is still the rule. Planning ahead remains the safest strategy.
How The Crunch Hits Your Freight
When trucks get scarce, the ripple effects show up quickly.
- Rates rise. Fewer trucks chasing more freight pushes costs up, and growers or producers pass those costs along.
- Lead times stretch. Waiting until the last minute to book spot freight can mean paying a premium, or finding no truck at all.
- Service failures get expensive. Big-box retailers like Walmart and Target penalize both early and late arrivals. On-time deliveries are essential to keeping costs down.
“We have a 98.8% on-time delivery rate with Walmart, Target, and others. If we aren’t on time, we’re willing to pay that up front. Our partners’ perishables make it on time,” says Younce.
The bottom line: At year-end, reliability matters as much as price. A missed delivery window can cost more than a higher rate.
How Bridgeway Manages Seasonality
Year-end challenges don’t disappear, but the right partner makes them manageable. Bridgeway’s approach gives shippers the consistency they need to finish the year strong.
- Capacity when others can’t deliver. Bridgeway has the scale and resources to absorb seasonal swings, so shippers don’t have to wonder if trucks will be there when they need them.
- Drivers who stay committed. By covering driver insurance and offering steady loads, Bridgeway keeps turnover low—meaning dependable drivers running the freight we’ve promised.
“We don’t see the turnover that other carriers do. Because we pay their insurance and offer steady loads, our drivers stick with us and honor the rates we commit to,” says Younce.
- Compliance that keeps freight moving. From chaining requirements in the Northwest to California’s strict emissions rules, Bridgeway’s fleet is already equipped and certified. Customers avoid last-minute refusals and regulatory delays.
- Expertise for freight that can’t wait. From Chiquita to Meridian Fine Foods, Bridgeway handles perishables and other goods that must arrive on schedule.
- Rates you can trust. Bridgeway honors its commitments—it’s why we’re still in business after more than 50 years. Shippers get stable pricing they can actually plan around.
For more than 50 years, we’ve handled seasonality with scale, committed drivers, regulatory know-how, and the kind of relationships that keep freight moving when others stall.
Ways to Keep Freight Moving
Even in a softer market, unpredictability defines the year’s end. The earlier you plan, and the stronger your partnerships, the less exposed you are to year-end surprises.
- Book early to secure capacity. Lock in Q4 shipments before the crunch hits. Waiting means competing for fewer trucks at higher rates.
- Prioritize reliability over the lowest rate. A broker who delivers on time saves you from costly chargebacks and missed deadlines.
- Leverage trusted relationships. Partners with strong carrier and driver ties give you an edge when the market gets tight.
- Use RFPs wisely. Securing rates in advance protects your budget, but only if your partner follows through.
Final word: Agents are freight’s connective tissue
Freight agents are the behind-the-scenes partners that keep this industry running—and at Bridgeway, we never forget it.
We’re proud to be a place where agents can go further, backed by the kind of infrastructure that helps them do what they do best.
“Many shippers are given a low, unrealistic rate, so the carrier can get in the door, and then see increases later. At Bridgeway, we honor an RFP, no matter what,” says Younce.
Adding a Carrier Partner Can Give You More Options in Tight Markets
If you’ve watched rates creep up or struggled to secure capacity in past seasons, now may be the time to take a fresh look at your carrier mix. Expanding your base—and adding a partner like Bridgeway—creates competition that keeps rates in check while giving you more reliable options in tight markets.
Interested in exploring what a stronger carrier strategy could look like?
