Shipping times and rates for freight shipping go through predictable seasonal fluctuations. Understanding the fright shipping calendar can help you control your costs and ensure that your shipments make it to their destination in plenty of time. If your products are not perishable and deliveries are not especially time sensitive, there are several ways you can leverage the freight shipping calendar to your advantage. Here are six strategies to help you control your costs and avoid unexpected shipment delays.

It's November, and you know what that means…holiday shipping madness is already well underway. What does that mean for freight shipping times and rates? Freight shipping, including both Less-than-Truckload (LTL) and Full Truckload (FTL) carriers, goes through a predictable calendar each year that is dependent on seasonal variations in supply and demand. These variations in the availability of freight carriers vs. the total volume of freight being shipped cause fluctuations in LTL and FTL shipping rates.