10/15/2026
Peak season doesn't start in December. It's decided in October.
Here's what I see every year: shippers who start planning now — lining up carrier relationships, getting flexible on pickup windows, tendering freight with real lead time — sail through November and December. The ones who wait until the week before Thanksgiving are the ones calling in a panic.
A few things that actually move the needle:
1. Tender early. Even 24 extra hours of lead time gives your broker or carrier room to find the right truck at the right price. Same-day tenders in Q4 are a tax on yourself.
2. Be flexible on pickup windows. A two-hour window is harder to cover than a full day. The more flexible you are, the more options you have.
3. Know your must-ship dates now. Work backwards. If it has to deliver December 18th, when does it need to pick up? Build in a buffer.
4. Communicate volume spikes early. If you're shipping significantly more in November, tell your 3PL now, not November 1st.
Q4 rewards the prepared and punishes the hopeful. Be prepared.