Nearly Half of U.S. Transportation Leaders Say AI Saved Their Peak Season

New insights from Breakthrough’s 2025 Peak Shipping Season Pulse reveal how AI helped U.S. shippers stabilize peak season performance.

Green Bay, Wis., November 18, 2025 — Nearly half (49%) of U.S. transportation leaders say AI reshaped how they managed this year’s Q4 peak season, according to Breakthrough’s Peak Shipping Season Pulse. In the survey of 300 industry decision-makers, leaders cited AI’s value in anticipating shifting freight demand (47%) and managing rising transportation and fuel costs (48%).

As Q4 2025 approached, transportation teams were juggling rising fuel costs, tariffs, and tighter budgets. For many, AI became the tool that kept freight moving efficiently. Nearly every leader surveyed (96%) said their teams are using AI for planning, operations, and decision-making, most often for analytics and reporting (77%), route and load optimization (63%), and freight forecasting (56%).

The level of adoption marks an important shift, and it’s paying off.

While many industries are struggling to realize value from AI, transportation appears to be ahead of the curve, and the results speak for themselves: 43% of transportation leaders are already seeing measurable ROI from their AI investments, and another 34% expect returns within six months. These early wins are driving a mindset shift – 96% of transportation leaders say executives at their organizations now view AI as a core investment pillar, with more than half (59%) “strongly agreeing” their executive team believe it deserves long-term funding.

“Breakthrough’s Peak Shipping Season Pulse reinforces what we’re seeing across the market: AI isn’t just an experiment anymore,” said Heather Mueller, Chief Client Strategy Officer at Breakthrough. “It’s a real-time advantage helping shippers manage costs, build resilience, and keep goods moving during the busiest time of year.”

While most transportation teams are leveraging AI for core planning and forecasting tasks, very few have extended its use into rate negotiation or contract management. Only one in three leaders say their organizations use AI for these functions, which signals room for growth as shippers explore how technology can streamline costs, improve carrier relationships, and create network efficiencies.

Together, the findings reveal an industry at a turning point — one that’s moving from early experimentation to embedding AI across every stage of the supply chain.

To see the complete findings from Breakthrough’s Peak Shipping Season Pulse, visit: www.breakthroughfuel.com/resources/exclusive-content/peak-shipping-season-pulse.

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About Breakthrough

Breakthrough, a U.S. Venture company, is a leading provider of sustainable fuel and freight solutions for shippers that reduce cost, create efficient networks, and decarbonize transportation. Using its robust dataset of over $32 billion in annual freight spend, cutting-edge technology, and market expertise, the company uncovers freight optimizations and creates actionable strategies for the world’s most reputable household brands. Together with its clients, Breakthrough is transforming the transportation industry by building a more effective and sustainable transportation ecosystem. The company was named #6 on the 2024 FreightWaves FreightTech 25 list of the most innovative and disruptive freight technology companies, awarded 2024 Overall Analytics Solution of the Year from SupplyTech Breakthrough, and is a recipient of the Owens Corning Supplier of the Year Award.

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Marissa Pasillas

Walker Sands for Breakthrough

BreakthroughPR@walkersands.com