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 fact, leaders cited AI’s value in anticipating shifting freight demand (47%) and managing rising transportation and fuel costs (48%).
“Breakthrough’s Peak Shipping Season Pulse reinforces what we’re seeing across the market: AI isn’t just an experiment anymore,” says 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.”
Key takeaways:
· 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%).
· While many industries are struggling to realize value from AI, transportation appears to be ahead of the curve: 43% of transportation leaders are already seeing measurable ROI from their AI investments, and another 34% expect returns within six months. Meanwhile, 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.
· 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.
