If you’ve ever dealt with a delayed freight shipment, you know how stressful it can be — especially when the delivery contains important business inventory, furniture, or time-sensitive equipment. Recently, I used Averitt Express for an LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) shipment, and while the process started smoothly, the delivery ended up arriving several days late.
Here’s my honest experience with the delay, what caused it, how Averitt Express handled the situation, and what I learned from the process.
Why I Chose Averitt Express
I needed to ship several large pallets from Tennessee to Texas for a small business relocation project. After comparing multiple freight carriers, I chose Averitt Express because:
- Their rates were competitive
- Transit times looked reasonable
- The company has a strong reputation in the Southeastern U.S.
- Tracking tools seemed easy to use
The estimated transit time was 3–4 business days, which fit my schedule perfectly.
At first, everything looked normal.
The Shipment Started Normally
The pickup happened exactly as scheduled. The driver arrived on time, scanned the freight, and the tracking page updated quickly.
The first few tracking statuses included:
- Pickup Completed
- Freight Received at Service Center
- In Transit
- Departed Terminal
So far, so good.
I expected delivery by Thursday afternoon.
But Thursday came and went without any updates.
When the Delay Started
By Friday morning, the tracking still showed:
“In Transit”
There was no “Out for Delivery” scan and no estimated arrival update.
At that point, I started getting concerned because the shipment included business equipment needed for a client installation.
I refreshed the tracking page multiple times during the day, but nothing changed.
This is when I realized freight delays can happen even with reliable carriers.
Contacting Averitt Express Customer Service
I called Averitt Express customer support to ask about the shipment status.
The representative was professional and polite. After checking the shipment internally, they explained that:
- Severe weather had impacted several regional terminals
- Multiple outbound trailers were delayed
- Freight routing had temporarily slowed
They also mentioned that LTL shipments sometimes experience delays because freight is consolidated across multiple terminals before final delivery.
While it was frustrating, the explanation made sense.
The Tracking Finally Updated
Late Friday evening, the tracking status finally changed to:
- Arrived at Destination Terminal
Then on Monday morning:
- Out for Delivery
The freight arrived Monday afternoon — about 3 days later than the original estimate.
Thankfully:
- Nothing was damaged
- Packaging remained intact
- Delivery staff were professional
The delay caused inconvenience, but the shipment itself arrived safely.
What I Learned About Freight Delays
After this experience, I realized freight shipping works very differently from standard parcel delivery.
With LTL freight carriers like Averitt Express:
- Freight often moves through multiple terminals
- Weather disruptions can affect entire routes
- Trailer capacity and scheduling matter
- Tracking updates may not appear instantly
Unlike UPS or FedEx small-package tracking, freight tracking can sometimes pause for hours or even a full day between scans.
That doesn’t always mean the shipment is lost.
Common Reasons Averitt Express Deliveries Get Delayed
Based on my experience and research, here are some common reasons Averitt Express shipments may arrive late:
1. Weather Conditions
Storms, flooding, snow, or severe weather can delay terminal operations and transportation routes.
2. Terminal Congestion
Freight terminals sometimes experience high shipping volume, especially during holidays or peak business seasons.
3. Missed Linehaul Connections
LTL freight often transfers between trailers and service centers. Missing a scheduled outbound trailer can delay delivery by a day or more.
4. Delivery Appointment Issues
Some commercial deliveries require appointments. If the receiver is unavailable, delivery may be postponed.
5. Tracking Scan Delays
Sometimes the freight is moving normally, but tracking scans are delayed or skipped temporarily.
Was Averitt Express Reliable Overall?
Despite the delay, I would still consider Averitt Express a reasonably reliable freight carrier.
Here’s what I liked:
Pros
- Professional pickup and delivery staff
- Helpful customer service
- Competitive freight pricing
- Freight arrived undamaged
- Good regional coverage
Cons
- Tracking updates were sometimes slow
- Estimated delivery date changed without notification
- Delay communication could have been more proactive
Overall, I’d use Averitt Express again for non-urgent freight shipments.
For time-critical deliveries, though, I’d probably build in extra buffer time.
Tips If Your Averitt Express Shipment Is Delayed
If your shipment seems stuck or delayed, here are a few things that may help:
Check Tracking Carefully
Look for scans such as:
- Arrived at Terminal
- Departed Terminal
- Linehaul Delay
- Out for Delivery
These usually indicate the shipment is still moving.
Wait 24 Hours Before Panicking
Freight tracking often updates more slowly than parcel carriers.
A missing scan doesn’t necessarily mean the shipment is lost.
Contact Customer Service
Averitt’s support team can often see more detailed internal shipment information than what appears online.
Plan Extra Transit Time
For important freight shipments, adding 1–2 extra business days can reduce stress.
Final Thoughts
My Averitt Express delivery delay was frustrating, but it also taught me how LTL freight shipping actually works behind the scenes.
While the shipment arrived later than expected, the freight was delivered safely, customer support was responsive, and the overall service remained professional.
If you’re shipping with Averitt Express, it’s smart to:
- Expect occasional freight delays
- Monitor tracking regularly
- Allow extra time for important shipments
- Contact support if updates stop for too long
In the freight industry, delays sometimes happen — but communication and safe delivery matter just as much as speed.
For my shipment, Averitt Express eventually got the job done.