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As winter ends and construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects ramp up across the country, freight demand typically increases heading into the second quarter. Spring marks a turning point in the freight market, where improved weather and seasonal demand begin tightening capacity—especially for flatbed and specialized equipment.
Understanding how these seasonal changes impact freight availability and pricing can help shippers avoid delays, control costs, and maintain reliable supply chains.
Spring brings the start of peak construction season. Warmer weather allows projects that were delayed during winter to resume, creating increased demand for flatbed trailers to move steel, lumber, machinery, and oversized equipment.
This surge in construction-related freight reduces available capacity, particularly in regions experiencing rapid growth or infrastructure investment. Shippers moving construction materials or heavy equipment may notice longer lead times and fewer available trucks compared to the winter months.
Planning shipments in advance becomes especially important during this period.
Many manufacturers increase production during the spring to prepare for summer demand and ongoing projects. Equipment, raw materials, and finished goods all require transportation, which adds additional pressure to freight capacity.
Industries commonly affected include:
As freight volumes increase, securing reliable transportation partners becomes critical to maintaining consistent delivery schedules.
While spring eliminates many winter-related delays such as snow and ice, it introduces new logistical challenges. Heavy rain, flooding, and increased road construction can impact transit times and routing.
Increased highway maintenance and infrastructure work can also slow traffic and reduce efficiency in key freight corridors.
Working with experienced freight providers helps ensure shipments are routed efficiently and monitored closely throughout transit.
As freight demand increases, available truck capacity may tighten. This can lead to:
Flatbed and specialized freight are often impacted first due to limited equipment availability compared to standard dry van trailers.
Shippers who plan ahead and communicate upcoming shipping needs early are better positioned to secure capacity and maintain predictable costs.
Freight brokers play an important role in helping shippers navigate seasonal market shifts. Access to a broad network of vetted carriers allows brokers to quickly identify available capacity—even during high-demand periods.
At RCS Freight Services, every carrier is carefully vetted and monitored to ensure reliability, safety, and compliance. This allows us to provide consistent transportation solutions even as market conditions change.
Our team works proactively with customers to plan shipments, secure capacity, and prevent disruptions before they occur.
Spring is the ideal time for shippers to review their transportation strategies and prepare for increased demand throughout the summer.
Taking steps now—such as planning shipments earlier and working with trusted logistics partners—can help prevent delays and ensure freight moves efficiently.
As freight activity continues to increase in Q2, having a reliable transportation partner makes all the difference.