November represents a period of transition between fall and winter, but also between regular ol’ business-as-usual and the holiday season.
In 2024, this transition period gains another layer of significance: Election Day (Nov. 5) marks a pivotal moment between presidential administrations in the U.S.
Other important dates this month include Veterans Day (Nov. 11) and Thanksgiving (Nov. 28). If you’re the deal-seeking sort, you’ll also want to mark your calendar for Black Friday (Nov. 29) and Cyber Monday (Dec. 2).
Between all these holidays and happenings, November tends to be a tricky month in the trucking industry. Thankfully (pun very much intended), you don’t have to navigate this time of year alone.
Here at Anderson Trucking Service (ATS), we help shippers like you plan and manage shipping needs year-round. We take on the seasonal challenges so you can focus on more important things — like what you’ll use to top your leftover turkey sandwich. (Cranberry sauce. The answer is always cranberry sauce.)
In this article, we’ll use our nearly 70 years of transportation industry expertise to explain November changes in:
- Dry van capacity
- Reefer trailer capacity
- Open-deck capacity
- Over-dimensional (OD) freight
- Thanksgiving and the holiday season
So, don your coziest sweater, grab a mug of hot apple cider, and get ready to find out what’s happening across the trucking industry this month.
How Will Dry Van Trailer Capacity Change in November?
Dry van trailers carry most of the goods we use on a daily basis. Everything from food to furniture to electronics travel in a dry van all year round.
But during the holiday shopping season (which enters its peak this month), dry vans are in even higher demand. Throughout November, canned goods, Black Friday specials, and festive holiday decor will all be traveling via dry van to stores near you. Dry van demand will remain high through to the end of the year.
This year, we aren’t expecting the massive spikes in freight volume (and therefore freight rates) we’ve seen in past holiday shopping seasons. The continued rise in online shopping and a consumer focus on experiences rather than physical gifts means there is less dry van freight than in past years.
Speaking of online shopping, some of the major online retailers will be renting dry vans from commercial carriers this month. This will contribute to the tight capacity for vans this holiday season.
All that is to say: Don’t head into November 2024 expecting the same dry van rates you got this summer. While this holiday season may be more muted than it has been in the past, it’s still the holiday season — one of the busiest times of year for the transportation industry.
The best bet for securing dry van capacity this November is to prepare to pay higher prices or be flexible with your dates.
Of course, gift-giving isn’t the only holiday activity that impacts shipping. All that cooking and baking for big family feasts will require dry goods hauled in vans — and plenty of refrigerated freight.
How Will Reefer Trailer Capacity Change in November?
Turkeys, hams, butter, yams, potatoes, carrots, celery, pecans . . . if it’s on your Thanksgiving grocery list, there’s a good chance it got to your supermarket via refrigerated truck.
Refrigerated trucks (reefers) are designed to keep fresh produce, dairy, pharmaceuticals, and other sensitive freight at safe, cool temperatures during transportation. As you can imagine, reefer trailers are in higher demand in the weeks leading up to the winter holidays, which can subsequently drive up your freight rates.
The mighty Christmas tree also impacts reefer capacity this month. Whether you put it up Nov. 1 or wait until closer to Christmas, your tree may be traveling to a local lot as we speak.
Depending on the length of haul, Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands are hauled in either a dry van or a reefer trailer to ensure they stay fresh longer. You may see elevated prices for reefers in November, particularly in areas where fir trees are grown.
Dry vans and reefers are both enclosed trailer types, which keeps freight safe from the winter weather that ramps up in November. Open-deck freight, with its inherent vulnerability to the elements, will see a major shift this month to account for Mother Nature’s seasonal swing.
How Will Open-Deck Capacity Change in November?
November weather can be crisp and chilly or downright balmy — it all depends on where you are in the country. Particularly in areas that experience cold, snowy winters, open-deck freight will undergo a seasonal shift this month.
As it gets colder in the affected states, trucker tasks like tarping freight become much harder and more uncomfortable to complete. Understandably, freight requiring tarping or outdoor work will cost more starting this month.
When possible, consider choosing a tarping alternative like a Conestoga trailer, which will make your load more likely to get picked up at a reasonable rate this November.
Up north, construction season is rapidly coming to a close, and crews are making their final push to wrap up any remaining projects before any winter storms blow in. Related freight, like construction equipment and materials, will primarily move in the southern and southwestern states from now until about March.
The shift in open-deck freight volume will inspire many drivers to capitalize on the increased demand for dry vans. These drivers will transition to pulling enclosed trailers, which only makes it more difficult to find open-deck trucks.
In short, shippers moving freight in colder parts of the country will likely have to pay more to secure flatbed capacity from November through the coming winter months.
Besides offering more money, staying flexible with your pickup and delivery windows, giving advance notice on loads, and being open to other open-deck trailer types will all help position your freight to appeal to drivers during this time.
How Will Over-Dimensional (OD) Shipping Change in November?
Many jurisdictions only allow over-dimensional (OD) freight to move during daylight hours. In November in the U.S., we lose over a minute of daylight every day — which means by the end of the month, there’s 30 fewer minutes in which OD freight can move.
Speaking of daylight hours, Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, Nov. 3. As we “fall back,” truckers will have to stop driving earlier in the day than in previous months, which compounds the effects of the overall decline in daylight.
While a differential of about 90 minutes (by month’s end) may not seem like much, remember that things are further complicated by truck driver Hours of Service restrictions. Work with your carrier to be sure you are allowing enough time for your OD load to move during daylight hours.
But the ever-darkening days aren’t the only factor shippers of OD freight will have to consider this month.
Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, both federal holidays, take place in November (the 11th and the 28th, respectively). Some jurisdictions will restrict OD freight movement on these holidays, and permit offices may be closed.
The bottom line? Shippers need to be diligent about advanced planning for OD freight movements in November. Increased restrictions and holidays-related disruptions are unavoidable this month, but working with your transportation providers to plan ahead will help you make the most of the viable transit windows.
How Does Thanksgiving Impact Freight Shipping?
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days of the year. While you may not see as many semi-trucks on the road, the motoring public is on their way to visit family both near and far.
Truck drivers want time off to see their families, too. That means there will be fewer trucks available the week of Thanksgiving.
A note on trucker holiday time: Some drivers prefer to take off the entire holiday season (November through New Year’s Day) and they’ll save up all year to do so, while others leave their usual service areas and head for warmer weather — which is often synonymous with a more diverse freight mix.
There are drivers who are willing to work on the holiday, but they expect to be paid a premium for that time. Be prepared for slightly higher prices over the next two months as drivers enjoy some well-deserved relaxation.
Another Thanksgiving-related shipping tip? If possible, plan with your consignees to have freight arrive the week before Thanksgiving or the following week. This will help mitigate traffic-related delays, lack of capacity, and higher freight rates.
Don’t forget about Black Friday, either. Consignee companies may close for the day, and retail consignees likely have all hands on deck (or in this case, on the sales floor) to cover one of the year’s biggest holiday shopping days. If your shipment will arrive on Black Friday, make sure to double-check that there will be someone on site to help unload.
Plan Ahead for November Shipping Success
The importance of the transportation industry is underscored around this time each year, as the world takes time to come together, celebrate, and unwind.
Whether you’re a fan of snuggling up by a fireplace, hitting the slopes, or indulging in robust holiday feats, everything you need to enjoy the season comes to you on a truck.
In November 2024, anticipate a tight dry van and reefer market. Open-deck shipping sees the most dramatic transformation due to the challenges of cold weather, and OD freight will need to move in an even narrower window of daylight.
What does this all mean for you? In November and all other times of the year, the most successful shippers plan ahead. While you can’t control the weather, holiday schedules, or capacity crunches, you can prepare now to minimize supply chain interruptions.
So, speaking of preparedness: check out our article on what to expect from the 2024 holiday shipping (and shopping!) season. It explains how the digital era has changed the way we approach retail peak season and provides 2024-specific tips on how to be your most successful in these high-impact weeks.
