Being at the helm of a 72-foot-long vehicle weighing up to 80,000 pounds is no small feat. Throw in winter conditions, along with four-wheel drivers rushing to get home, and you have a high-stress and challenging situation for even the most experienced truck drivers.

For those of us on the phones and in front of the computers, eagerly tracking the movement and delivery of goods, winter months can mean additional pressure. Winter shipping affects even those states which don’t experience blizzards and icy roads. Shortened daylight hours, holidays, and generally slower-moving traffic can all impact capacity throughout the country.

As professional freight brokers, we’re focused on anticipating and responding to events on our clients’ behalf. Here are some winter shipment planning tips from our team:

Keeping Drivers Safe Is Priority

As brokers, our first priority is the safety of our partner carriers and drivers. Driving 18-wheelers is a job that requires focus and an ability to respond to all manner of situations. The semi’s size, length, and high center of gravity make winter more challenging. In the end, safe drivers with excellent records mean more reliable capacity for shippers.

How Experienced Is The Driver

The last thing you need is a driver who’s unaware of the risks involved with winter driving. It’s not just the number of years a carrier has been operating trucks that’s important. Better to partner with a carrier who’s lived in snowy states and spent years navigating icy conditions before they even earned their CDL.

Partnering with an experienced driver is essential. Once your load is on the road, you will need to rely on the driver’s judgment. Seasoned operators can be trusted to carry extra equipment, pay attention to road conditions and take breaks when necessary.

The Specifics Of Winter Route Planning

Icy roads, blizzards, and other drivers make winter traffic much slower than in other seasons. From November through April, successful shippers need to allow adequate lead time. Trucks which drove northern lanes in summer may not be available during the winter months. This decrease in capacity means it may take longer to find a reliable carrier to take your load. Giving as much lead time as you can will help prevent last-minute price hikes.

It also helps to be realistic about pickup and delivery timeframes. With more variables in place, you can assume that the situation will change. Allowing as much flexibility as you can with pick-up and delivery times will make the load more likely to be taken.

Finally, route planning is key. In winter, carriers will want to avoid roads with sharp inclines and curves. Your broker will need to constantly monitor weather conditions and alternative routes, especially when mountain passes can’t be avoided.

Allow Time For Extra Stops And Slow Driving

During heavy snow, a driver may need to pull over to wait out the storm, especially if the surrounding traffic or environment doesn’t feel safe. Drivers will also stop more frequently to perform necessary truck safety checks such as defrosting and cleaning lights.

Average driving speed may be drastically decreased, especially if chains are required at any stage. Expect driving to be slow. In ideal conditions, a semi-truck takes about 525 feet at 65mph before coming to a complete stop. Competent drivers will be increasing following distance, and reducing speed during winter.

Keep Open Lines Of Communication

Between the holidays and difficult driving conditions, winter can be tricky for shippers. This is when having strong relationships with reliable partners and carriers makes all the difference. Dedicated brokers keep open lines of communication so that you – and your customers – stay informed and up to date on your freight delivery.

Even if your shipping needs are not in the icy northern regions, capacity can still be affected. If you have goods that need to be moved this winter, reach out to our team to see how we can assist.