2026 Southeast Freight Outlook: What Shippers in Georgia Should Plan For
Capacity tightened across the I-75 corridor in Q4 2025. Here's what we're seeing on the Atlanta–Jacksonville lane and how to budget for the new year.
January 8, 2026 · 6 min read · by the Klein dispatch team
The last six weeks of 2025 reset our planning for the new year. Tender rejections on the Atlanta–Jacksonville lane hit 9.4% in mid-December — the highest we have measured since the post-pandemic crunch. Three factors compounded: a delayed peak in retail replenishment, weather routing carriers around east Tennessee, and a stubborn driver shortage in the I-75 corridor that nobody in our region has solved.
What does that mean for a shipper sitting in Marietta or Macon looking at 2026 budgets? A few things. First, lock your lanes early. Spot rates in January are running 12–18% above contract on our most-watched pairs, and we expect that gap to narrow only after April. Second, if you have flexibility on pickup day, give your provider a 48-hour window — it can shave $80–$150 per load. Third, do not assume reefer capacity will be there in May for produce season; reserve now.
We are taking new dedicated-lane commitments through February. If you'd like to talk through your forecast, reach out to dispatch and we will put together a rate sheet specific to your origins.
Need help with a load? Call dispatch at +1 (678) 756-1908 or request a quote.