Trucking Industry Update October 2025: Key Insights for Shippers

Key Takeaways:

• October is busier than it looks — holiday freight, tariffs, and consumer demand shifts make it a high-impact shipping month.
• Dry van capacity tightens near ports, while Midwest supply is looser.
• Reefers shift west for harvests and south for cross-border produce.
• Flatbed and oversize freight face weather, daylight, and football-related restrictions; planning ahead is critical.
• Shippers can cut costs by booking early, considering trailer alternatives, providing accurate specs, and staying flexible with timing.

October brings the World Series, Halloween, and the start of the fourth quarter. And while it would be easy to write October off as the last month before the busy holiday season, experienced shippers know that this is actually one of the most action-packed shipping months. 

December 2025 Freight Market Outlook: What Shippers Should Know

The December freight market traditionally brings a complex mix of tightening and softening forces. In 2025, that pattern remains familiar but nuanced.

Protect Your Freight by Packing, Crating & Storing Before Shipping

When shipping sensitive, fragile, expensive — or all of the above — cargo overseas, it’s important to ensure it’s properly protected. Whether it’s the salty sea air or the turbulent waves, cargo on a vessel can take a beating if not properly packed and crated.