Own truck vs freight company?

You're shipping enough that costs are adding up fast. Buying your own truck seems tempting, but the math gets complicated when you factor in everything. Arizona businesses face this choice all the time, especially with long hauls across I-10 and I-17.

Own trucks make financial sense if you ship the same route three or more times per week, consistently. The break-even point isn't just the truck payment. You need driver wages, commercial insurance, maintenance, fuel, and downtime costs. Most Arizona businesses underestimate these hidden expenses by 30-40%.

A used commercial truck costs $80,000-150,000 plus $2,000-4,000 monthly in insurance and maintenance. Add driver wages at $55,000-70,000 annually, plus benefits. Total annual cost often hits $120,000-200,000 before the first mile. Freight companies charge per shipment with no fixed costs.

Run the numbers honestly. Count your current monthly shipments and multiply by 12. If you ship fewer than 50 loads per month, freight companies usually cost less. For occasional or seasonal shipping, backhaul logistics from Gateway Distribution cuts costs further by sharing truck space with other cargo heading the same direction.

With the right freight partner, you get predictable per-shipment pricing without truck payments, driver headaches, or maintenance surprises. Your cash stays in your business instead of tied up in depreciating equipment.

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