Look beyond the rate per mile
A high rate on a lane with no return freight can lose money. Judge a lane by the whole round trip, including the empty miles you will drive to reach the next load.
What to evaluate
- Average rate on the lane and on the return direction.
- Time spent loading, unloading and waiting.
- Fuel, tolls and other costs along the route.
- How easy it is to find a load out of the delivery area.
Build relationships
Reliable brokers and shippers pay on time and offer repeat freight. Keep a list of the ones you enjoy working with and prioritise them.
Track your numbers
Record the profit on every trip. After a few weeks the data shows which lanes and customers deserve more of your time.
Know your costs
Calculate your cost per mile including fuel, insurance, maintenance, payments and your own pay. Any load below that number loses money, however busy it keeps you.
Plan the next load early
The best time to find your next load is before you deliver the current one. Planning ahead reduces empty miles and gives you better negotiating power with brokers.
Review monthly
Every month, list your best and worst trips and ask why. Patterns appear quickly, such as certain regions with poor return freight, and they help you say no with confidence.
Our dispatchers analyse lanes for you and plan the next load before the current one ends.
