September is historically a busy month for shippers and transportation providers. But this year, “busy” might be an understatement.
Tighter capacity, elevated freight rates, and the usual seasonal pressures are all converging in September 2026, which could leave shippers with fewer options for moving their freight.
The good news? Shippers still have ways to protect their freight plans. With more than 70 years in the transportation industry, the team at Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) has learned a thing or two about navigating challenging freight markets. This article will outline our tried-and-true tips to help you plan smarter, improve your chances of securing capacity, and keep your freight moving.
Over the past year, many carriers have left the market, reducing the number of trucks available to move freight.
Several factors have contributed to these carrier exits, including:
Even before typical seasonal pressures are factored in, capacity is expected to feel tighter this year than it has in recent Septembers. Shippers may face more competition for available trucks, especially on short-notice shipments or lanes with seasonal demand.
Tip: Have a backup capacity strategy. Ask your transportation provider what capacity options may be available if your first option falls through. Some providers offer asset-based options, brokerage options, or access to both, which can give you more flexibility when capacity is tight.
On top of an already tight freight market, September brings its own seasonal pressures that can make capacity even harder to secure. These factors commonly include:
Labor Day can create a number of transportation constraints for shippers. For standard freight, the long weekend may reduce driver availability, temporarily making it more difficult to secure capacity. For oversized freight, many states enforce holiday travel restrictions that can prevent some large shipments from moving at all.
Tip: In 2026, Labor Day falls on Monday, September 7. If you can, avoid scheduling freight over the holiday weekend and plan shipments before or after that window instead.
Most back-to-school shipping is typically wrapped up by the time September begins, especially in regions where schools start in July or August. But with Labor Day falling later in 2026, some school-related freight may still move into early September.
That activity can tighten truckload capacity in certain regions, especially for dry van shipments.
Tip: If you have early September freight, avoid waiting until the last minute to book the shipment.
In September, the Midwest becomes one of the strongest regions for agricultural freight demand as harvest activity increases.
Freight moving out of the Midwest may be harder to cover because many drivers prefer to stay in the region while demand is strong. Freight moving into the Midwest, however, may be easier to cover because drivers often look for loads that bring them back to areas where demand — and earning potential — are stronger.
Either way, shippers should expect more competition for capacity and may need to pay higher rates to make their loads more attractive.
Tip: Be flexible with your delivery windows. The more scheduling options you provide, the more options you may have for capacity.
Summer is packed with construction projects, and that activity often continues into September. As fall approaches, project teams push to finish critical work before colder weather, freezing temperatures, and early snowfall arrive.
That late-season demand can keep trucks busy hauling construction materials well into September — especially open-deck capacity like flatbeds, step-decks, and other specialized trailers.
Tip: If you’re moving open-deck freight, make sure you share accurate shipment dimensions so your transportation provider can identify the right equipment when securing capacity.
Christmas is just around the corner! …Okay, it’s three months away. But in the supply chain world, holiday planning starts much earlier than most consumers realize.
By September, retailers are already beginning to move inventory ahead of the holiday shopping season. As that activity builds through the fall, more freight enters the market, increasing competition for available trucks.
That can make capacity harder to secure and put additional pressure on freight rates, especially as holiday freight overlaps with other seasonal demand.
Tip: Share your freight forecast early. Early insight into Q4 moves can help your transportation provider plan for capacity before demand increases even more.
Transportation rates are elevated heading into September 2026. And with truckload capacity remaining tight and seasonal pressures building, they could remain elevated throughout the remainder of the year.
This includes spot rates and contract rates, which are both up significantly. For the first time since 2022, spot rates have even moved above contract rates, which is another sign of how much pressure tight capacity is putting on the market.
Rates will still vary by lane, equipment type, and shipment details, but the overall market is giving shippers less pricing flexibility than they may have had in recent years.
The good news is that there are steps shippers can take to improve their chances of securing capacity and competitive rates.
Based on 70+ years of experience in the transportation industry, here’s what the ATS team recommends for navigating the September 2026 freight market:
While September is almost always a challenging time for shippers, this year could be even more difficult as already-tight capacity adds pressure to an already busy month.
Understanding what’s driving the current freight market can help you make smarter shipping decisions before capacity becomes even harder to find. By booking early, staying flexible, and having a backup capacity strategy, you can give yourself more options and reduce the risk of last-minute disruptions.
The September freight market may be tight, but shippers who plan ahead will be in a better position to secure capacity and keep their supply chains moving.
The fall shipping season is just around the corner. If you have questions about your Q4 freight plans or want help strengthening your transportation strategy, connect with one of ATS’s transportation experts.