The Trucking Industry in February 2025: What You Should Know
Anderson Trucking Service
Earn the trust of your customers and colleagues as you become a more efficient supplier that always delivers.
As February 2025 rolls in, the trucking industry enters a dynamic period characterized by seasonal trends, regional challenges, and opportunities for optimization.?
For shippers and carriers alike, understanding what lies ahead is crucial for staying competitive and keeping operations running smoothly.
Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) celebrated its first February as a company in 1955. 70 years later, we’ve compiled plenty of knowledge about what to expect during February in the transportation industry.?
In this blog, we’ll dive into February-specific market conditions for various trailer types, including dry van, reefer, open-deck, and over-dimensional freight.?
You’ll also find actionable tips to maximize your supply chain efficiency, avoid common pitfalls, and make informed shipping decisions. Whether you’re grappling with capacity shifts, winter weather disruptions, or strategic planning around Presidents’ Day, we’ve got you covered!
How Will Dry Van Trailer Capacity Change in February?
Compared to the frenzied holiday rush, America’s dry van market in February can seem somewhat less exciting. And it is true that in the transportation industry, January through March is considered dry van trucking’s slow season — but rest assured that freight is still moving this month.
Whereas December’s consumer-influenced demand spikes drew van drivers toward larger retailers and parcel transportation companies, February represents a return to the status quo. Following the overall market stabilization that happens in January, dry van drivers will be returning to their familiar lanes.?
In general, you can expect your local and regional dry van transportation market to loosen a bit this month, making substantial lead times less crucial and freight rates more affordable.?
How Will Reefer Trailer Capacity Change in February?
For the most part, it’s business as usual for refrigerated trailer (reefer) transportation in February. Food and beverage companies will claim most of the available capacity whilehazardous shipments requiring temperature control will make up the difference.?
In northern states, winter weather makes transporting temperature-sensitive cargo tricky. The freeze protection services offered by refrigerated trailers are in high demand this time of year, so finding a reefer for your goods during February could be more difficult.?
As such, make sure to pre-book all necessary capacity and work with your trusted transportation companies to ensure your truck arrives as scheduled.?
When reefer services are in high demand, reliable service can cost a bit more. Plan for these rate hikes in advance, and don’t be afraid to budget a few extra dollars to get your freight moved, especially in the northern states.
Open-Deck Transportation in February
While it’s still cold in large swaths of the nation, open-deck activity is already stirring from its winter nap. There are two significant events that influence open-deck capacity in February: early preparations for construction season and a major transportation equipment auction.
1. Preparation For Construction Season Begins
Although there are fewer flatbed, step-deck, lowboy, and removable gooseneck (RGN) transportation options available in wintery states, open-deck freight movement begins to speed up nationwide in February. This uptick can be primarily attributed to all the spring construction projects in the pipeline.
Contracts for infrastructure and construction projects have typically been signed by the start of the month to give contractors enough time and information to start preparing for work. As a result, it may get a bit more challenging to find an available open-deck truck in the coming weeks and months.?
Our advice regarding reefer capacity this month applies to open-deck trailers, too: Book your trucks well in advance and stay in close communication with your transportation providers to have the best shot at avoiding a last-minute scramble for capacity.
2. The Ritchie Bros. Premier Global Auction in Orlando, Florida
The annual Ritchie Bros. equipment auction takes place in February in Orlando, Florida, drawing the attention and attendance of thousands of companies across a wide range of industries.
This year, Orlando and its surrounding areas will become a hotbed for freight from Feb. 17 through Feb. 21.?
Trucking companies will flood into the region to transport the large equipment and machinery purchased by auction attendees. (And yes, we do mean large — so expect the over-dimensional market to mimic the same shifts as open-deck during this time.)?
So, what does that mean for shippers like you? You’ll find that it will be easier to secure open-deck transportation capacity into the southeast in the week leading up to the Ritchie Bros. auction — and it will likely cost less than it normally would.?
When trucking companies know it will be easy to find their next load at your freight’s destination, they’re more likely to accept your shipments and provide a lower rate.
It’s a tactic that keeps their trucks loaded and moving while optimizing their drivers’ time — a win for them and a welcome cost efficiency for you.?
How Does Over-Dimensional Shipping Change in February?
Over-dimensional (OD) transportation is an intricate process at the best of times, and Mother Nature’s involvement only complicates things further.?
The slick roads, heavy winds, and unpredictable snowstorms that riddle the northern United States during February can throw a wrench in many over-dimensional shipments.
If the forecast holds severe winter weather anywhere along your freight’s route, expect delays — or avoid shipping during the storm altogether, if you can.
The shorter days of February also provide fewer daylight hours. Without proper planning, this could increase your load’s transit timing, as many states restrict over-dimensional freight movement to daylight hours.
领英推荐
Failing to account for this shorter transit window could disrupt your supply chain, particularly if a driver is forced to stop traveling and wait for daylight halfway through an otherwise efficient route.?
The best way to plan for these additional challenges is to add flexibility to your pick-up and drop schedules.?
While it may mean moving your OD cargo a bit earlier or later than your target go-date, it’s worth it to avoid major delays and keep your supply chain chugging along.
Oh, and don’t forget: Mother Nature isn’t the only one meddling in the market this month. The Ritchie Bros. (and their auction) will draw OD capacity down to Florida and the other southeastern states in the middle of the month.?
So, much like open-deck capacity, you can expect OD capacity to be a bit easier and cheaper to secure heading into those areas leading up to the auction.
Tips For Shipment Planning in February?
This February, timing is everything. It’s the shortest month of the year (with a holiday thrown in for good measure!), so getting the most out of your time and money will come down to strategic timing, proactive planning, and a little flexibility.?
Here are three of our best tips for maximizing your shipping budget and adhering to your timelines:
#1 Plan Around Presidents' Day
Presidents’ Day is February’s only national holiday, so it presents an opportunity for companies to take advantage of a well-deserved long weekend. This break (and the fact that Presidents’ Day schedules vary from one company to the next) may be disruptive to your plans this month.?
Be sure to communicate with your consignees to ensure that they’ll be open on Feb. 17. The last thing you want to deal with is a delayed shipment — and the charges that accompany it — due to an avoidable miscommunication.??
Additionally, it should be noted that securing oversized permits for your freight can be more difficult over long weekends. If you have over-dimensional goods to move, give your provider plenty of lead time to get these pieces in place at competitive price points.?
#2 Avoid Short-Mile Shipping on Weekends
All year round, truck drivers strive to make the most of their Hours of Service (HOS), which restricts the number of on-duty service hours they’re permitted within 24 hours.?
On weekdays, short-mile shipments (loads traveling 300 miles or fewer) can be helpful in achieving an optimized schedule. On the weekends, though, the opposite is true.
Since most facilities aren’t open on Saturdays and Sundays, the drivers on these loads must wait to unload until Monday — and watch their HOS clocks drain away in the process.
This is another factor to consider (and a pitfall to avoid) as you move freight this February — particularly on the long Presidents’ Day weekend.?
Make adjustments to your shipping schedules so you can steer clear of the price hikes associated with short-mile weekend shipments.?
#3 Work to Expedite Your Loading/Unloading Times
In the interest of taking your shipping dollars further this month, consider taking a look at your loading and unloading procedures.?
Note how long the loading process takes from the moment a truck arrives to its departure from your loading dock. How much time is spent on tasks that could be optimized in advance, like locating the right products or equipment??
In all likelihood, there are parts of your current processes that could be made more efficient, which in turn can help you avoid detention charges and layover fees.
Some changes to increase loading and unloading efficiencies might include:?
Although making these adjustments will take time and commitment on your part, expediting your procedures will help you cut costs, deliver on customer commitments, and find trucks faster in the future.?
Make the Most of February in the Transportation Industry
February presents a mix of challenges and opportunities in the trucking industry. Whether you’re managing dry van, reefer, open-deck, or over-dimensional freight, understanding the unique dynamics of February will help you make the best decisions for your business.
Seasonal trends, regional shifts, and weather-related factors all play a role in shaping market conditions for freight transportation — which means preparation, timing, and clear communication are essential this month.?
By staying informed and planning strategically, you’ll be prepared to navigate these changes effectively and keep your supply chain moving smoothly.
Interested in planning out the rest of your shipping for the year? The 2025 Freight Shipping Calendar is your cheat sheet for the best (read: most cost-effective) and worst (most expensive) days to ship in the months ahead.?
Download it for free now and use it to optimize your logistics all year long!?