Short answer
Amazon says Relay load volume spikes between October and January, and that in 2026 it expects over 4 million loads, with 300,000 a week by December. Those are Amazon's freight volume numbers, not a forecast of carrier pay.
Peak season 2026 at a glance
Updated October 16, 2026.
| 2026 date | Day |
|---|---|
| Thursday, November 26 | Thanksgiving |
| Friday, November 27 | Black Friday |
| Monday, November 30 | Cyber Monday |
| Saturday, December 19 | Super Saturday |
| Friday, December 25 | Christmas |
These are calendar dates, worked out from the federal holiday schedule. Amazon hasn't announced its 2026 Black Friday or Cyber Monday sale window. For context, its 2025 Black Friday Week started November 20 and its deals ran through December 1.
Amazon's 2026 volume line: "over 4 million loads," and "300 thousand per week by December." That's freight volume, not pay.
Do this before Thanksgiving:
- Scorecard. Check the daily prediction of your upcoming score. Amazon says your score decides how much you can book.
- Insurance. Renew at least two to three weeks before it expires. A lapse stops booking and hauling.
- Equipment. Do preventive maintenance and run pre- and post-trip inspections now.
- Alerts. Turn on Relay's load alerts and keep your primary administrator's contact info current.
When is Amazon Relay peak season?
October through January. Amazon's peak season post says "load volume spikes during the 'haulidays' between October and January."
It names four events that drive the volume:
| Event | When |
|---|---|
| Prime Big Deal Days | October 6 and 7, 2026, per Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days post. Already done. |
| Black Friday and Cyber Monday | Amazon runs major weeks of sales around the Friday and Monday after Thanksgiving. In 2026 those days are November 27 and November 30. |
| Super Saturday | The last Saturday before Christmas. In 2026 that's December 19. |
| Christmas | December 25 |
The calendar dates for the last three are ours, worked out from Amazon's descriptions. Amazon's Relay posts don't give 2026 dates for those sales.
Prime Big Deal Days being over doesn't end anything. Amazon says "the loads will continue even after Prime Big Deal Days has ended."
How many loads does Amazon expect in 2026?
Amazon's peak season post says: "in 2026, we're expecting over 4 million loads," and "300 thousand per week by December." Amazon's brokers vs direct booking post describes Relay as "Thousands of loads during regular periods, nearly doubling during peak."
Amazon gives the 4 million figure for 2026 as a whole. It doesn't say how many of those loads fall in peak season. Read these for what they are. They're Amazon's numbers about freight volume. They say nothing about rates or what any carrier takes home, and Amazon publishes no peak rates.
What kind of freight? Amazon's winter loads post says the holidays are Amazon's busiest season, "where the majority of our loads are power-only."
How do you book peak freight on Amazon Relay?
Amazon names these options for peak:
- Load board. "Relay's load board auto-refreshes every 30 seconds with a list of available spot freight."
- Post A Truck. Build a criteria order with your distance, duration, payment and more, and Relay matches you to loads automatically.
- Contracts. Short-term contracts give weeks to months of steady round trips in one booking.
- Auctions. Bid on a contract auction for a chance to name your own price.
- Equipment marketplace. Rent trailers to Amazon.
You can also turn on load alerts. Amazon's Prime Day post describes instant notifications for loads "that meet your business's criteria." And the Prime Big Deal Days post suggests peak may be a good time to look at team driving or intermodal.
Our load board guide explains how spot loads post and get booked.
Does your scorecard matter more during peak?
It decides how much you can book. Amazon's high volume events post says your performance score "determines how much and how often an approved carrier is able to book Amazon loads." A healthy score gives "access to the most freight opportunities during high volume events (including early access)."
Two things from that post help here:
- Scores refresh every week. You also get "a daily, real-time prediction of your upcoming score" in your account.
- Breakdowns can hit your score. If a breakdown makes you late or forces you to reject a booked load, "your performance score can be impacted."
Amazon doesn't say whether scorecard rules change during peak. Our scorecard guide covers how each metric works.
How should carriers prepare for peak?
Here's Amazon's own list, from the high volume events post, plus one step of ours:
- Update your contact info. Keep your primary administrator's details current, so booking alerts and problem notices reach you.
- Plan a backup. Amazon suggests extra drivers or trucks for sick days and breakdowns, and says Relay has discounts for truck rentals.
- Confirm load details before you book. "Only book loads your company can confidently execute." Amazon says you'll usually know the equipment, arrival time, rate, locations and driver type before you commit.
- Do preventive maintenance now. Follow service schedules, and run pre- and post-trip inspections. Drivers can report equipment issues in the Relay app.
- Plan around hours of service. Amazon says Relay navigation factors HOS into tour planning. Its hours of service post also says to account for seasonal delays, especially between November and February.
- Check each load's numbers. Our free Relay load calculator shows a load's net and net per loaded mile from its pay and miles, deadhead included.
Is it too late to join Amazon Relay for peak 2026?
Not necessarily, but approval takes time. Amazon's Relay FAQ says applications are typically approved or rejected within 1 to 3 weeks, and other Amazon posts say within three weeks or 2 to 3 weeks. So plan on up to three. Apply in mid-October and a decision could come by early November, ahead of Black Friday week.
Two more things take time. Each driver has to clear an identity check, which Amazon typically reviews within 48 hours, plus a background check. And if you're an existing carrier changing insurance, Amazon recommends allowing 2 weeks for it to process.
Amazon's five application steps are in our guide to how to sign up for Amazon Relay.
What doesn't Amazon publish about peak season?
- Peak rates or rate changes
- Cut-off dates for booking or applying
- Whether scorecard rules change during peak
- Load numbers for Super Saturday or Black Friday 2026
- 2026 dates for Black Friday, Cyber Monday or Super Saturday sales, in its Relay posts
Where does NudoIQ fit?
Peak puts more loads on the board and leaves less time to size each one up. NudoIQ is an independent Chrome extension for the Relay load board, not affiliated with Amazon. It shows net and net per mile under the price on every load card, from costs you set once, and AutoBook can book only loads that clear your own minimum net profit. It's free for 7 days with no card needed to start, then $49.99 a month.