The 2025 holiday season is putting classic peak stress on the trucking network, but not all regions are feeling it the same way. Port-to-distribution center lanes out of major East Coast and Gulf gateways, along with dense DC-to-store corridors, are seeing capacity tighten quickly as big-box retailers, grocers, and parcel carriers push late waves of replenishment. Carriers serving these lanes report higher booking lead times, rising rejection rates, and more last-minute tenders as retailers scramble to keep shelves and fulfillment centers stocked.

In contrast, many non-retail, inland, and industrial lanes remain comparatively balanced or even soft, leaving some carriers with open capacity if their networks are not plugged into consumer-facing freight. This split has effectively created a “two-speed” truckload market: one where holiday demand commands premium pricing and another where shippers can still negotiate aggressive contract and spot rates. Fleets with the ability to flex between these two worlds—using drop trailers, regional fleets, and relay networks—are in the best position to capitalize.

For shippers, navigating this environment requires a more surgical approach to procurement and planning. High-priority seasonal freight benefits from earlier tendering, mode shifts where possible, and tighter collaboration with core carriers on volume forecasts. At the same time, savvy transportation managers are unlocking savings on backhaul and non-peak lanes by consolidating volumes, rebalancing networks, and taking advantage of markets that have not yet tightened. As the calendar turns and holiday volumes fade, those who documented what worked—and what didn’t—will be better prepared for the next peak.