Seasonality pushing rejections and rates higher ahead of the Fourth
Seasonal shipping patterns are beginning to tighten the truckload market ahead of the July 4 holiday, with both load rejections and spot rates moving higher.
For drivers, that typically shows up in a familiar way: more loads getting kicked back, more short-notice coverage requests, and a little more negotiating room on lanes that were soft earlier in the month.
What happened: As the holiday approaches, rejection activity is rising, and rates are following. That combination is a common signal that available capacity is getting absorbed faster than normal for this time of year.
Why it matters: Higher rejections can create brief windows where spot opportunities improve, especially for drivers who can reposition quickly or run flexible schedules. It can also mean more churn at pickup times—shippers and receivers dealing with last-minute carrier changes, which can affect appointment reliability and detention risk.
Broader context: The stretch leading into the Fourth often brings a predictable shift in freight flows as some facilities pull freight forward, others pause production, and many shippers try to avoid being caught short during holiday closures. Even when overall demand is not dramatically higher, the change in timing can tighten capacity in pockets, pushing rejections and rates up in the days leading into the holiday.
In practical terms, the lead-up to July 4 can reward drivers who watch lane conditions closely and stay selective about time-sensitive freight, while also planning around facility schedules that may change around the holiday.