As we head into a busy week marked by the U.S. Open, the Chicago Bears season kickoff, and the upcoming Labor Day holiday, Redwood Logistics brings you the latest freight market insights in this edition of the Redwood Rundown.
Freight Volume Outlook: A Quiet Build-Up
Despite the seasonal excitement, the freight market is showing signs of a muted lead-up to Labor Day. Based on recent patterns:
- Monday and Tuesday typically see the highest activity.
- By Wednesday, volume begins to taper off.
- Next week may follow a similar trend, with Tuesday mimicking an outbound Monday—but expect capacity to tighten by mid-afternoon.
This pattern reflects what we've observed in previous holiday cycles: the real challenge isn’t before the holiday—it’s after.
Post-Holiday Pressure: Midwest Markets Tighten
The post-Labor Day freight crunch is expected to hit hard, especially in the Midwest. Key observations include:
- Chicago is experiencing early pressure due to inbound rail shipments.
- Ohio and Indianapolis are under close watch for tightening capacity.
- Green Bay, Wisconsin typically heats up this time of year.
- New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey markets are also showing signs of strain.
Redwood will continue to monitor these regions closely and provide updates as conditions evolve.
To all our hardworking partners and clients: we hope you enjoy a well-deserved break this Labor Day. If you're watching the Rundown, you're likely working hard to keep freight moving—and we appreciate everything you do.
