Seizing the Summer Surge
Summer always shakes things up in the freight market, bringing a noticeable jump in truck freight tonnage—especially for refrigerated trucking hauling food and beverage loads. As temperatures rise, demand tends to start in the South and steadily moves north, creating regional waves that savvy trucking companies can ride to stronger profits.
But while there may be more freight on the move, there’s also more competition. For carriers in the trucking industry, success comes from smart, real-time decisions—adjusting fleet operations, paying attention to seasonal trends, and leaning into technology like real-time tracking and route optimization. Whether you’re running a large fleet or you’re an owner-operator, staying flexible and informed can help you reduce costs and land the kinds of loads that keep you moving.
Let’s take a look at how you can make the most of what summer shipping has to offer.
Understand Seasonal Freight Patterns and Regional Demand
As temperatures rise, so does freight movement—especially for food and beverage loads that need to stay cool. These shipments usually start in the South and shift northward as the summer rolls on. If you want to stay competitive in the freight market, understanding where that demand is headed next can make a big difference.
Align your routes with regional harvest schedules and local events that impact truck freight tonnage. Think produce out of Georgia in June, or fresh berries coming out of Michigan in July. With tools like real-time tracking and route optimization, you can reposition assets more effectively and avoid empty miles.
Fleet management software can give you an edge here by analyzing past routes and trends, so you can confidently direct your trucks where they’ll be most valuable instead of making gut calls.
Plan for Rising Fuel Costs and Efficiency
Everyone in the industry knows summer often brings higher fuel prices. It’s just part of the season. But for carriers working with tight margins, a spike in fuel costs can quickly start eating into profits.
Monitoring routing, idle time, and overall vehicle usage is essential to saving money. Small tweaks—like optimizing routes to reduce miles or timing refuels—can lead to big results. Match that with strategic backhauls to further reduce costs, and you’ve built a leaner operation.
Looking further ahead, more fleet operations are exploring electric vehicles or mixed-use options. Even just starting the conversation internally can lower your environmental impact, prepare your team for shifting regulations, and put you ahead of the curve as electric trucks gain ground in the ground freight space.
Prioritize Refrigerated Freight for Stability and Profit
Summer is prime time for refrigerated trucking. Produce, frozen items, dairy—you name it. These shipments move in large volumes and require specialized care, which puts carriers with the right equipment in high demand.
But it’s not just about having a reefer—it’s about managing it well. Clean equipment, accurate temp control, proper load balancing, and a commitment to driver safety all go a long way. These details are what make shippers want to work with you again.
More companies are also asking for visibility tools, including real-time tracking and temperature logs. If you can offer 24/7 access or send proactive alerts, you’re no longer just a carrier—you’re a partner in their supply chain.
Leverage Labor and Equipment Trends to Stay Competitive
There’s been a persistent labor crunch in the trucking industry over the last few years. Fewer new truck drivers are entering the workforce, and equipment isn’t always easy to come by either. But that’s where being agile matters.
Smaller fleets and owner operators have an advantage when it comes to pivoting quickly, accepting last-minute freight, or rerouting on short notice. That kind of flexibility makes a big difference when shippers are pressed for time or dealing with unexpected changes.
It’s also worth keeping tabs on employment trends, rising insurance premiums, and strategies that help improve working conditions. Shippers pay attention to how carriers treat their people. A solid safety track record and low turnover can go a long way in securing more business.
Use Technology to Enhance Operations
Summer volume often exposes weak spots in a carrier’s operation. That’s why more fleets are leaning on technology to stay ahead of the curve.
Fleet management software helps optimize everything from vehicle maintenance to load tracking to communication. Automating processes like dispatch or load matching speeds things up and prevents mistakes. And in a season when minutes matter, automation can be a serious advantage.
Staying current with cybersecurity measures also protects your operations as more tools go digital. Meanwhile, longer-term trends like autonomous trucks and electric vehicles are no longer just buzzwords—they’re part of the growing trucking industry forecast. It pays to keep a close eye on these innovations now.
Monitor Market Forecasts and Industry Trends
In a season driven by shifting demand, having insight into where the market is headed can make or break your planning. That’s why many carriers rely on the trucking industry outlook from groups like the American Trucking Association to guide decisions.
Compare this year’s report to the past year to see what’s changed. Look at regulations, infrastructure updates, and economic signals that might impact your operations. Even trends out of Canada or regional manufacturing shifts can affect your lane strategy.
When you understand the broader landscape, you’re not just reacting—you’re forecasting. And shippers love a carrier who comes prepared with insights, not just capacity.
Prepare Now to Win Later
To win in the summer freight game, it’s not enough to show up—you’ve got to plan smart. That means managing your operations with precision, relying on technology, and being ready for whatever curveballs the season (or economy) throws your way.
Lean into your fleet management software to track and plan, stay up to date with market insights, and invest in tools that make your processes smoother. Whether you’re managing private fleets, running solo, or operating a brokerage, staying sharp on logistics, tech, and regulations will keep you moving forward.
The freight world is changing, but that’s not a bad thing. The carriers that embrace data, adapt quickly, and build lasting relationships will continue to grow, no matter the season, market, or miles ahead.
