January isn't downtime — it's game-planning season. Freight volumes dip after peak season, winter weather increases transit times and safety risks, rates and capacity stabilize before spring rebounds — and your competition is using this window to DOMINATE 2026.

THE JANUARY FREIGHT REALITY

Here's what most shippers miss: This slower period is actually a strategic window to negotiate better rates, test new logistics providers, reassess shipping strategies, update schedules, and lock in dependable capacity for the year to come.

THE MOCKINGBIRD DIFFERENCE: While other logistics partners go dark in January, Mockingbird Logistics, LLC — a proud part of Sureway and ATS — uses these 31 days to fortify YOUR competitive advantage for the entire year ahead.

🎯 JANUARY MARKET INTELLIGENCE: WHAT CHAMPIONS KNOW

The Capacity Window is OPEN

Capacity opens up in January as demand for trucks dips, meaning pricing stabilizes — though regional variation remains high. Smart shippers leverage this window to establish strategic relationships that pay dividends all year.

MOCKINGBIRD EXECUTION: Our 70-year partnership with Sureway and ATS gives us the market intelligence to help you capitalize on January opportunities while securing capacity for Q2 and Q3 when everyone else is scrambling.

The Freeze Protection Challenge

November through March is "freeze protection season" where certain goods require additional protection from freezing, increasing demand for refrigerated reefer trailers to keep sensitive goods in consistent, above-freezing temperatures.

CAPACITY INSIGHT: When reefer capacity tightens and others panic, Mockingbird's 154,000+ carrier network through Sureway and ATS ensures your temperature-sensitive freight moves SECURELY and ON-TIME.

Open-Deck Winter Reality

Throwing and securing heavy tarps is challenging for drivers even in the best conditions, to say nothing of freezing temperatures, high winds, snow, and ice they encounter in northern states during this time.

THE MOCKINGBIRD SOLUTION: We don't just find trucks — we engineer SOLUTIONS. Our experienced carriers know winter open-deck operations, and we coordinate with facilities to ensure driver safety and freight security.

❄️ WINTER WEATHER: THE GREAT LOGISTICS BATTLEFIELD

The Reality No One Talks About

Snow, ice, and subzero temperatures affect everything from travel time to fuel efficiency, as drivers must navigate shorter daylight hours, slick roads, and increased safety risks, which can extend transit times and reduce available capacity.

AMATEUR RESPONSE: Hope weather cooperates, then panic when it doesn't.

MOCKINGBIRD STRATEGY: Contingency planning, real-time communication, and proactive tracking to minimize weather-related disruptions. Your freight security doesn't depend on WEATHER — it depends on PREPARATION.

Oversized Freight Winter Challenge

When ice, snow, or wind makes navigation difficult and roads hard to visualize, over-dimensional freight is understandably the first to be restricted.

WHY THIS MATTERS: Your million-dollar equipment can't afford amateur logistics partners who treat winter weather like a surprise. Mockingbird Logistics, LLC — backed by Sureway and ATS expertise — plans for winter conditions MONTHS in advance.