Why Summer Shipping Isn’t as Easy as it Looks

Summer might seem like the “slow season” for freight, no winter storms, no holiday madness. But for many shippers, summer is anything but smooth sailing.

From extreme heat and construction delays to carrier capacity shifts and surging seasonal demand, summer shipping brings its own set of hidden headaches. And if you're not anticipating them, they can sneak up fast, costing you time, money, and customer satisfaction.

Here’s what to watch out for this summer and how Revcon Logistics helps you stay two steps ahead.

1. Extreme Heat Affects More Than People

When temperatures rise, so does the risk to your freight. Sensitive products, packaging integrity, and even transit performance can take a hit in extreme heat.

Common summer-related issues:

• Damaged or compromised goods (especially perishables, chemicals, plastics, or electronics)

• Increased equipment breakdowns or service delays

• Carrier rejections due to temperature-sensitive restrictions

How we help: We build seasonal safeguards into your shipping plan, whether that means routing through cooler regions, avoiding weekend dwell times, or flagging heat-sensitive shipments early to ensure proper handling.

2. Construction Season = Road Delays

Summer is also peak season for road construction and that translates to unexpected delays, rerouting, and detention costs.

What’s happening on the ground:

• Highway and urban construction zones cause bottlenecks

• Detours impact planned delivery times

• Longer dwell time = higher detention or missed delivery windows

Revcon’s edge: We use proactive route monitoring and carrier communication to flag trouble spots before they become issues and reroute or reschedule as needed. That keeps your supply chain moving, not sitting in traffic.

3. Driver Vacations + Carrier Capacity Shifts

Just like your team, drivers and dispatchers take summer vacations. That means available capacity drops, especially in regional and niche markets. Add in seasonal spikes from food, beverage, and outdoor industries, and you’ve got a classic supply-demand squeeze.

The result?

• Slower response times from carriers

• Higher spot rates in tighter markets

• Risk of missed pickups or last-minute changes

Our approach: We maintain strong relationships with a wide network of carriers, which means we’re not scrambling for trucks when the calendar gets tight. Our blend of contracted rates, brokerage agility, and Blanket Spot access gives you the flexibility to cover freight fast, without overpaying.

4. Seasonal Demand Spikes (and Surprise Surge Orders)

Whether you're shipping grills, garden supplies, beverages, chemicals, or construction materials, summer demand can spike hard and fast. Last-minute orders, promotions, and rush replenishments are common this time of year.

Sound familiar?

• Your team gets a bulk order from a key customer with 24 hours’ notice

• Your normal carriers are tapped out

• You’re forced into an expensive spot market scramble

How Revcon solves it: We help clients plan for seasonal surges with flexible capacity options, pre-vetted backup carriers, and real-time availability tracking. That way, when urgency strikes, you’re not stuck.

5. Longer Lead Times Due to Holiday Closures

From the 4th of July to company-wide summer shutdowns, holidays can throw off the rhythm of your shipping schedule. Many vendors and receivers change hours or close completely, leading to missed appointments and storage fees.

Common missteps:

• Scheduling deliveries on closed docks

• Forgetting lead time impacts from carrier blackouts

• Missed shipping windows = unhappy customers

How we support: Our team tracks key closure dates and lead time changes across your supply chain, and we build your schedule accordingly. You get realistic timelines, not surprise disruptions.

The Bottom Line: Summer Shipping Needs a Strategy

Just because the weather looks clear doesn’t mean your freight is in the clear. Summer brings its own brand of unpredictability and it takes planning, agility, and proactive communication to get through it smoothly.

At Revcon Logistics, we act as an extension of your team to:

• Forecast seasonal risk

• Mitigate heat, capacity, and timing issues

• Keep your freight moving efficiently and affordably

Don’t wait until you're behind. Let’s review your summer shipping strategy now and make sure you're covered through Labor Day and beyond.

Let’s schedule a mid-year review. No pressure, no sales pitch—just insight. We'll bring the data and the questions. You bring your goals.