The holiday season is an exciting time, but for those in the shipping and logistics industry, it can also bring unique challenges. Motor carriers often adjust their operations during holidays, impacting transit times, pickups, and deliveries. Understanding these changes can help shippers stay ahead of potential disruptions.
Here’s a comprehensive look at LTL Carrier’s typical holiday schedules and tips to navigate them effectively.
Common LTL Carrier Holiday Schedule
While every carrier may have slight variations, most observe the following holidays:
- Thanksgiving (November 28)
- Day After Thanksgiving (November 29)
- Christmas Eve (December 24)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
- New Years Day (January 1)
On these days, carriers are mostly marked as closed or assume limited operations status. Limited operations means that Pick & Deliver Services, Line haul Services, or other administrative operations may be selective on when to operate or at a minimum capacity. Carriers observing a closed status typically means that there is no movement in their system on this day.
Tips for Routing Freight During the 2024 Holiday Season
Plan Shipments Ahead of Time
Review your shipping needs well in advance of holidays. Arrange for pickups or deliveries at least a day or two before carriers suspend operations. Expect that shipments will take a day to two more than quoted transit times. All closed days and most limited operations day do not count in the quoted transit times.
Communicate with Your TLI Operations Team
If you plan to operate over the weekend during the holiday season, please inform your TLI operations team member so we can coordinate with you. As we will be observing the holiday season with a skeleton crew, giving us advance notice will help ensure we continue to provide you with excellent service if your business remains open.
Consider Increased Volume Before Holidays
Leading up to holidays, carriers often experience a surge in shipment volumes, which can lead to longer transit times. Build in extra time to ensure your goods reach their destination on time.
Stay Updated
Many carriers provide updates about their holiday schedules through email notifications or website announcements. Bookmarking these resources can save you from last-minute surprises. Check out the next section for the most-up-to-date schedule status from TLI.
Tips for Routing Freight During the 2024 Holiday Season
During the holiday season, carriers close their terminals on specific dates, as shown in the table below. When terminals are closed, freight in transit can face delays, and no pickups or deliveries occur on those days. These closures can disrupt supply chain schedules, affecting both businesses and customers.
Additionally, many carrier employees take PTO during this time, leaving operations understaffed even on open days. This reduced capacity coincides with a seasonal surge in demand for transportation in some industries, which can further strain resources and impact shipping timelines. Planning ahead helps businesses navigate these challenges efficiently.
TLI asked our partner LTL Carrier’s schedules in preparation for the 2024 holiday season. This guide is for reference only and may change based on the carrier’s discretion.
| Carrier | Nov 28 | Nov 29 | Dec 24 | Dec 25 | Dec 31 | Jan 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AACT | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Limited | Closed |
| Arc Best | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | |
| Central Transport | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | |
| Cross County Freight | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | ||
| Dayton Freight | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | |
| Estes Express | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | |
| FedEx Freight | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Limited | Closed |
| Myles Transportation | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | |
| Old Dominion | Closed | Limited | Limited | Closed | Closed | |
| Pitt Ohio | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | |
| R&L Carriers | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | |
| Rist Transport | Closed | Closed | Limited | Closed | Closed | |
| SAIA Freight | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | |
| Southeastern Freight | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | |
| T-Force Freight | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Limited | Closed |
| Ward Transport | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| XPO Logistics | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed |
If your business plans to remain operational on a holiday listed below, please inform your TLI sales representative, account manager, or operations contact as soon as possible. This allows us to coordinate and provide the support you need. Keep in mind that shipments requiring routing on the holiday itself are often classified as expedited. These shipments typically come with higher costs due to limited carrier availability and priority handling. Planning ahead can help manage expenses and ensure smoother operations.
FTL Holiday Schedule
As we approach the holiday season, it’s important to note that many of the large Full Truckload (FTL) carriers will be observing the holiday season, which may impact available capacity. However, TLI is committed to securing the necessary capacity for our clients and will continue to source trucks from load boards. Keep in mind, though, that drivers operating during the holiday period typically command a significant premium due to the increased demand and the reduced number of available resources.
If you require expedited support during this time, please let us know as soon as possible, ideally with as much advanced notice as you can provide. This will allow us to better coordinate and secure the necessary resources for your shipment needs. We want to ensure smooth operations and timely deliveries, even during the busy holiday period.
On behalf of the entire team at TLI, we would like to wish all our shippers a safe and happy holiday season. We appreciate your continued trust in our services and look forward to supporting your logistics needs in the year ahead.