Nearly half of U.S. transportation leaders say AI played a major role in keeping this year’s peak shipping season on track. That’s one of the key findings from Breakthrough’s 2025 Peak Shipping Season Pulse, which surveyed 300 transportation decision-makers.
What’s Related
Leaders said they relied on AI to manage rising fuel costs, shifting freight demand, and tighter budgets heading into Q4. Almost everyone surveyed (96%) said their teams now use AI for planning, operations, and decision-making across the supply chain.
Most teams are already using AI for analytics and reporting (77%), route and load optimization (63%), and freight forecasting (56%), showing how quickly AI tools have become part of day-to-day work.
“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.”
ROI is showing up fast
Transportation leaders are also seeing returns.
43% said they’re already seeing measurable ROI from AI
Another 34% expect ROI within six months
Only 2% said it’s too early to tell
Those results are driving a shift at the top. 96% of respondents said their executive teams now view AI as a long-term investment, not a trial. More than half (59%) said leadership “strongly agrees” that AI deserves multi-year funding.
Still room for improvement
Even with AI showing early gains, leaders say the opportunity is much larger. Only a third of transportation teams are using AI for rate negotiations or the RFP process, which many see as the next step toward stronger margins and faster decisions. With executives now treating AI as a long-term investment, transportation teams are moving past pilots and starting to weave it into everyday work.
The survey points to a clear shift: AI is becoming part of how freight gets moved, not just a tool for when the pressure hits.
