Editor’s note: This post was initially published in June 2023 and has since been revised for comprehensiveness
As the temperature rises and summer approaches, businesses across North America face a unique set of logistics challenges. Summer freight shipping in 2025 brings not only the promise of increased demand and busy shipping schedules but also heightened risks associated with warm weather. Whether you’re a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer, understanding how to navigate the complexities of summer freight shipping is critical to protecting your shipments and maintaining smooth supply chain operations.
The summer months introduce several environmental factors that can jeopardize freight safety—from extreme heat waves and humidity to road maintenance delays and increased traffic volume. These conditions create a perfect storm for potential delays, damage, and unexpected costs. In addition, labor shortages and capacity constraints during peak shipping season often exacerbate these issues, making it more challenging than ever to keep your freight on schedule.
To overcome these hurdles, many companies are turning to more innovative and efficient logistics solutions, including intermodal shipping. This multi-modal approach—combining rail, truck, and sometimes marine or air transport—offers a strategic way to mitigate the risks of summer freight shipping while optimizing cost and reliability.
Understanding the Unique Risks of Summer Freight Shipping in 2025
Summer freight shipping comes with distinct challenges compared to other seasons, primarily due to heat, weather variability, and infrastructure strain. The first and most obvious risk is heat exposure. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can damage temperature-sensitive cargo such as electronics, chemicals, food, pharmaceuticals, and other perishable goods. Even standard freight can suffer from shrinkage, warping, or weakened packaging due to the heat, increasing the chance of loss or damage.
Humidity is another summer shipping enemy, especially in coastal or southern regions of North America. Excess moisture can lead to mold growth, corrosion, or compromised packaging integrity. If freight is not properly sealed or climate-controlled, humidity can severely affect product quality.
Additionally, summer months coincide with peak travel and vacation seasons, leading to congested highways, rail lines, and ports. Construction and road maintenance projects ramp up in warm weather, causing route delays or rerouting that can disrupt tight shipping schedules. Together, these factors contribute to increased lead times and higher freight costs during the summer shipping season.
The Impact of Capacity and Labor Shortages on Summer Freight Shipping
Like many sectors, the transportation and logistics industry faces labor challenges, especially during peak seasons like summer. The shortage of qualified truck drivers and warehouse staff often intensifies in warm weather due to increased health risks such as heat exhaustion. These workforce constraints limit carrier capacity, reduce flexibility, and can push freight rates higher.
For businesses relying solely on trucking, these capacity bottlenecks can cause shipment delays and even missed delivery windows, harming customer satisfaction and inventory planning. Furthermore, truck fleets may operate with reduced speed limits or mandatory rest breaks during extreme heat warnings, lengthening transit times.
With these constraints, it’s crucial for shippers to explore alternatives and diversifications to protect their supply chain during summer freight shipping peaks.
How Intermodal Shipping Supports Safer and More Reliable Summer Freight Shipping
One of the most effective strategies to address the complexities of summer freight shipping is leveraging intermodal shipping solutions. Intermodal freight transport combines the strengths of different transportation modes—typically rail and truck—to optimize delivery times, reduce risk, and manage costs.
Railroads, in particular, offer a significant advantage during summer months. Unlike highways, rail networks are less affected by traffic congestion, construction delays, or seasonal volume spikes. Trains can transport large volumes of freight efficiently over long distances with lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions—helping shippers meet both budget and sustainability goals.
By integrating rail for the long-haul segment and trucks for last-mile delivery, intermodal shipping helps businesses sidestep highway bottlenecks that frequently plague summer freight shipping. This flexibility allows for better route planning, improved reliability, and reduced exposure to heat-related risks like traffic delays or vehicle breakdowns.
Intermodal containers are also designed to protect cargo from environmental factors, often featuring robust sealing and weather-resistant materials that shield freight from heat, moisture, and dust. This adds an extra layer of protection critical for temperature-sensitive or fragile shipments.
Cost Efficiency and Environmental Benefits of Intermodal Shipping During Summer
In addition to enhancing reliability and cargo safety, intermodal shipping offers cost advantages that are especially relevant in the summer shipping season. Trucking fuel costs often spike in the summer due to increased demand and longer idling times in traffic jams. Rail, however, remains more fuel-efficient, helping businesses reduce overall transportation expenses.
By shifting a substantial portion of freight to rail during the hot summer months, shippers can better control costs while maintaining timely delivery schedules. This approach also aligns with growing corporate commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Intermodal shipping’s lower carbon footprint helps companies meet environmental goals and comply with emerging regulations, which are becoming increasingly important considerations in logistics planning.
Practical Tips to Optimize Summer Freight Shipping in 2025
While intermodal shipping provides an excellent framework for mitigating summer freight challenges, several other strategies are critical to achieving hassle-free summer logistics:
Train Staff on Summer Safety Protocols: Ensure drivers and warehouse workers follow best practices to stay safe and maintain productivity in high temperatures.
Plan Ahead for Seasonal Peaks: Anticipate capacity crunches by booking shipments early and building buffer times into your delivery schedules.
Invest in Climate-Controlled Equipment: Use refrigerated or climate-controlled containers where necessary to protect sensitive goods.
Leverage Technology for Visibility: Real-time shipment tracking and predictive analytics help proactively manage delays or weather-related disruptions.
Maintain Packaging Integrity: Ensure packaging is durable and properly sealed to withstand heat, moisture, and handling during transit.
Coordinate with Reliable Carriers: Partner with logistics providers experienced in handling summer shipping challenges, including those offering intermodal options.
Monitor Weather and Road Conditions: Use digital tools to track route conditions and adjust plans as needed.
Why Is Summer Freight Shipping So Busy?
Although consumption of food and beverages remains constant throughout the year, summer brings a surge in demand within this sector, likely due to the prevalence of summer parties and the popularity of the grilling season.
This results in a significant increase in the volume of shipped products, particularly those associated with outdoor eating and entertaining. These include beverages like beer, wine, and soda, alongside meats, chips, buns, sauces, and any other items one might associate with a backyard gathering.
There is some overlap between the peak season for produce and the broader peak for food and beverages. However, as the produce season winds down, the demand for food and beverages often picks up the slack, fully utilizing available shipping capacity. This period continues until after the Fourth of July celebrations. A brief lull follows before the traditional peak summer freight shipping season truly begins later in the summer.
Effects Summer Has On Shipping
The summer months present a unique landscape for food and beverage transportation. Here’s a breakdown of key factors to consider for summer freight shipping:
- Increased Food & Beverage Volume
Compared to the first quarter, freight volumes from leading food and beverage shippers typically experience a 25% rise in the second quarter. While this growth offers opportunities for carriers, it can also strain capacity for shippers. Even with overall freight demand surpassing the previous year, summer freight shipping surges persist, particularly in refrigerated truckload demand.
- Regional Variations:
Similar to the produce season, summer freight shipping surges don’t occur uniformly across the nation. The timing and location of these surges can vary significantly (refer to a separate graphic for details). Regardless of location, these surges have a nationwide ripple effect. Carriers, seeking to maximize profits, migrate to regions experiencing high demand, leading to capacity disruptions elsewhere.
- Spot Rate Instability
Carrier migration in response to opportunity leads to fluctuations in spot rates. For example, a summer freight shipping surge occurs in beverage demand in southern Texas might cause rates on inbound lanes to Laredo to drop as carriers reposition their fleets. Conversely, outbound rates from Laredo would likely rise until the shipping surge subsides.
The current inflationary market further tightens carrier capacity, potentially resulting in significant spot rate increases. Considering the past year’s volatility in the truckload market, coupled with the nation’s reopening, there remains significant uncertainty. Shippers face questions regarding customer needs, carrier capacity, and material acquisition from vendors.
However, the past year has also highlighted the importance of flexibility in supply chains. By partnering with shipping providers who can adapt to your needs like accommodating summer surges, special projects, or rerouted networks. You can also navigate these challenges and capitalize on the opportunities that summer freight shipping presents.
Industries Benefiting From Summer Freight Shipping
Many industries manufacture products that are sensitive to temperature changes. To ensure these products reach consumers in good condition, they require refrigeration during transportation.
Here are some industries that benefit from refrigeration during the summer freight shipping months:
- Food and Beverage
Fresh produce, dairy products, seafood, and other temperature-sensitive items rely heavily on refrigerated shipping. This method allows the food and beverage industry to maintain optimal conditions “from farm to table,” guaranteeing high-quality products for consumers around the world.
- Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare
For the safe transportation of medications, vaccines, and medical equipment, refrigerated shipping is crucial. These delicate products can quickly lose their effectiveness if exposed to the wrong temperatures. Refrigerated transport ensures they arrive in a usable state.
- Floral and Horticulture
The floral and horticulture industries depend on refrigerated shipping to keep their products fresh and vibrant. This method mainly controls temperature and humidity levels, extending the shelf life of delicate flowers, plants, and foliage. This, in turn, leads to greater customer satisfaction.
Seven Tips to Deal With Summer Freight Shipping With No Issue
The summer months bring a unique set of challenges and opportunities for food and beverage shippers. Here are some key strategies to consider:
- Plan Ahead for Seasonal Products
If your business sells summer goods, early planning is essential. Use market research or past sales data to forecast demand. This ensures you receive parts or finished products on time, so they’re available when customers want them. While summer isn’t peak shipping season, expect higher freight costs, limited capacity, and potential delays during the busy third quarter.
- Mastering Spot Market Rates:
Even if most of your shipments utilize contracted rates, some are likely to enter the spot market during summer freight shipping season. Especially in the current economic climate, understanding best practices for spot quotes can ensure you receive the most reliable and cost-effective rates for your shipments.
- Optimizing Your Shipping Network:
Before the surge hits, it’s crucial to review your routing guide. Given the current market dynamics, regularly check with your shipping providers to assess their capacity. Can they handle an increase in your shipments? Do you have reliable backup options if a carrier falls through?
If your network routes require re-bidding, ensure a strategic approach to the RFP (Request For Proposal) process. If a carrier consistently rejects tenders or fails to meet your KPIs, can you depend on them during peak season as the market recovers?
Finding the right balance between cost and service is key. Consider this a good time to implement or enhance a continuous improvement program for your shipping network.
- The Power of Lead Time:
Planning is crucial whenever possible. The more notice you can give your carriers, the lower the risk of disruptions within your supply chain.
- Prioritizing Shipments:
Competition for capacity can be intense in certain regions during specific times. To ensure your most critical shipments arrive on time, identify those with flexibility and prioritize them accordingly.
- Choose the Right Packaging
Work with your logistics provider to select the best packaging for your products. In summer, prioritize packaging that minimizes internal air space and has a secure seal. This allows your chosen coolant (dry ice, ice pellets, or frozen gel packs) to work more effectively. Additionally, the packaging insulation must be sufficient to survive the summer heat.
- Explore Refrigerated Containers (Reefers)
Sometimes, speed and planning aren’t enough. Refrigerated containers, also known as reefers, offer temperature control from -65°C to 40°C, making them ideal for transporting fresh and perishable goods. As summer temperatures rise, reefers are a solution worth considering for sensitive shipments.
Conclusion
As we wrap up this in-depth exploration of summer freight shipping challenges and best practices for 2025, it’s essential to emphasize that success in summer logistics requires more than just awareness — it demands a proactive, well-rounded strategy. From battling the intense heat and humidity to overcoming capacity constraints and traffic delays, summer freight shipping is a complex operational puzzle. Companies that master these challenges will gain a decisive edge in cost savings, shipment reliability, and customer satisfaction.
In this dynamic landscape, working with an experienced logistics partner like RGW can make all the difference. RGW understands the unique demands of summer freight shipping and offers tailored solutions to protect your freight, optimize routes, and streamline operations throughout the hottest months.
Why Summer Freight Shipping Requires Special Expertise
Summer freight shipping is inherently more complicated than shipping in other seasons. The combination of rising temperatures, humidity, increased transportation demand, and infrastructure strain poses risks that can impact both freight safety and delivery timelines. Heat can damage sensitive cargo, increase the risk of vehicle breakdowns, and challenge warehouse operations. Congested highways and rail lines often slow transit times, while labor shortages add pressure on carriers’ capacity.
Without careful planning, these factors can result in freight delays, damaged goods, and higher shipping costs. Businesses need specialized knowledge and advanced logistics capabilities to mitigate these risks effectively. This is why a seasoned partner like RGW is invaluable in ensuring your summer freight shipping runs smoothly.
How RGW’s Expertise Supports Your Summer Freight Shipping Success
RGW brings decades of experience managing complex freight movements across North America, particularly during high-risk periods like summer. By leveraging deep industry knowledge and cutting-edge technology, RGW offers a comprehensive approach to summer freight shipping challenges, including:
- Advanced Route Planning: RGW analyzes seasonal traffic patterns, weather forecasts, and infrastructure conditions to design routes that avoid typical summer bottlenecks and minimize heat exposure.
- Intermodal Shipping Solutions: RGW’s expertise in intermodal freight combines the reliability and efficiency of rail with trucking flexibility to reduce highway congestion risks and lower fuel costs — critical factors in successful summer freight shipping.
- Climate-Controlled Transport: For temperature-sensitive shipments, RGW provides access to refrigerated and climate-controlled equipment, ensuring your freight remains protected from heat and humidity throughout transit.
- Real-Time Visibility and Tracking: RGW utilizes state-of-the-art tracking systems, giving you full visibility into your freight’s location and condition, enabling proactive adjustments to avoid delays or damage.
- Carrier Relationships and Capacity Management: RGW’s extensive network of trusted carriers helps secure capacity even during peak summer months, preventing common issues like truck shortages or delayed pickups.
By partnering with RGW, businesses benefit from customized logistics solutions designed specifically to overcome the pitfalls of summer freight shipping and ensure consistent, cost-effective deliveries.
Key Summer Freight Shipping Challenges RGW Helps You Overcome
Understanding how RGW addresses the most pressing summer freight shipping challenges sheds light on why partnering with a professional logistics provider is essential:
- Heat Damage and Cargo Integrity
The summer sun’s intensity can degrade sensitive freight or compromise packaging. RGW’s climate-controlled solutions and robust container sealing methods minimize exposure to heat and humidity, preserving product quality throughout the shipping process. - Highway Congestion and Transit Delays
Summer travel and roadwork contribute to increased highway traffic, often causing costly delays. RGW’s intermodal strategies shift long-haul shipments onto rail, circumventing congested roads and providing predictable transit times crucial for summer freight shipping. - Labor Shortages and Capacity Constraints
Peak season often means driver shortages and warehouse staffing gaps, exacerbated by heat-related health risks. RGW’s strong carrier relationships and scheduling expertise help ensure capacity availability, reducing the risk of delayed or missed shipments. - Rising Fuel Costs and Environmental Impact
Summer fuel prices can significantly inflate shipping expenses. RGW’s intermodal solutions use fuel-efficient rail transport to lower costs and carbon emissions, supporting sustainable, budget-friendly summer freight shipping. - Freight Visibility and Risk Management
Without real-time tracking, summer delays and disruptions can spiral unnoticed. RGW’s advanced shipment visibility tools empower businesses to monitor freight conditions continuously and react swiftly to any issues, safeguarding delivery commitments.
Best Practices for Summer Freight Shipping with RGW
Beyond offering specialized services, RGW guides customers on implementing best practices to maximize summer freight shipping success:
- Early Booking and Seasonal Planning: RGW recommends securing shipping capacity well before peak summer months to avoid last-minute rate spikes and delays.
- Optimized Packaging: RGW advises investing in durable, heat-resistant packaging to protect goods during transit, especially in hot and humid climates.
- Technology Integration: RGW encourages leveraging digital platforms and real-time analytics to track shipments, forecast delays, and improve communication with carriers.
- Worker Safety Protocols: RGW supports training programs for drivers and warehouse staff to mitigate heat-related health risks, maintaining workforce reliability.
- Flexible Transport Options: RGW’s intermodal approach offers the flexibility to reroute freight or switch modes as conditions evolve during the summer, ensuring adaptability.
Why RailGateway is Your Partner of Choice for Summer Freight Shipping in 2025
When it comes to navigating the complexities of summer freight shipping in 2025, RailGateway stands out as a reliable, knowledgeable, and technology-forward partner. With a client-first approach, RailGateway tailors shipping solutions to meet your unique needs, helping you reduce risks and enhance efficiency during the challenging summer months.
By combining deep expertise in intermodal freight, climate-controlled options, capacity management, and real-time tracking, RailGateway provides end-to-end support that transforms summer logistics from a seasonal headache into a competitive advantage. Our commitment to sustainable practices and cost-effective transport further strengthens your supply chain’s resilience.
Final Thoughts: Secure Your Summer Freight Shipping Success with RailGateway
In conclusion, summer freight shipping in 2025 demands foresight, innovation, and trusted partnerships to overcome the season’s unique challenges. Whether it’s protecting temperature-sensitive cargo from heat damage, avoiding traffic delays through intermodal solutions, or managing limited carrier capacity, RailGateway is equipped to guide you every step of the way.
Don’t let summer shipping hurdles compromise your freight safety or customer satisfaction. Contact RailGateway today to learn how our proven expertise and comprehensive service offerings can optimize your summer freight shipping strategy and keep your business moving smoothly through the warmest months.
With RailGateway by your side, you can approach summer freight shipping with confidence—knowing your shipments will arrive safely, on time, and within budget.
FAQ’s
What Is Peak Shipping Season?
The busy season for shipping, also called peak season, can be a bit rough. Prices go way up and down quickly, shipments sometimes get delayed or bumped to a later time, trucks might be slow, and there can be other problems. This peak season usually happens in the second half of the year, from around August to October.
How Long Does Freight Shipping Usually Take?
Shipping times can vary depending on a few things. The biggest factors are how far your stuff needs to travel, how it’s getting there and the route it takes. Even the season can affect how long it takes! Here’s a quick rundown: super fast express shipping can get there in just 1-3 days, air freight typically takes 5-10 days, and sea shipping, which is the slowest, can range from 20-45 days or even longer.
What Do You Mean By Freight Shipping?
Freight shipping efficiently transports goods by land (trucks), sea (ships), or air (planes). It encompasses various methods, like truckload and less-than-truckload (sharing a truck with others). Essentially, all cargo transported using these methods is considered freight.
How We Can Help
For businesses looking to optimize their freight shipping with reliable, efficient, and cost-effective solutions, RailGateway.ca is your trusted partner in intermodal logistics. Whether you’re new to freight trains or want to enhance your existing supply chain, our team of intermodal experts is ready to guide you every step of the way.
Contact RailGateway.ca today for a free quote or to speak directly with one of our experienced intermodal specialists. Let us help you unlock smarter, smoother shipping solutions tailored to your unique needs.
Visit RailGateway.ca or call us to get started on transforming your freight shipping strategy in 2025 and beyond.
