Buy trucks or hire a trucking company?
Cost breakdown and decision guide from Gateway Distribution, hub-and-spoke distribution in Arizona, AZ.
Your shipping volume is climbing across Arizona's sprawling distances from Phoenix to Tucson to Flagstaff. Buying trucks and hiring drivers looks expensive upfront. But monthly freight bills add up fast too. You need to know which option actually costs less long-term.
Most companies hit this crossroads when shipping 15-30 loads per month. Truck ownership means monthly payments, commercial insurance, maintenance costs, driver wages, and DOT compliance paperwork. A single truck can cost $8,000-$12,000 monthly before it moves one load.
Hiring trucking companies costs per shipment but includes everything. No surprise repair bills or driver turnover headaches. In Arizona's heat, truck maintenance runs higher than national averages. Insurance costs more for new fleets. Driver wages keep climbing in Phoenix and Tucson markets.
Calculate your total monthly shipping costs over 12 months. Include truck payments, insurance, fuel, maintenance, driver wages, and compliance costs. Most businesses save money outsourcing until they consistently ship 40+ loads monthly. Gateway Distribution's hub-and-spoke system routes freight through our Cincinnati, New York, and Virginia hubs to reduce empty miles and lower per-shipment costs.
Once you know your break-even point, the choice becomes clear. Companies below 40 monthly loads typically save 20-30% outsourcing. Those above often benefit from their own fleet.
Other things people in Arizona ask
freight shipping transit times
LTL typically takes 2-5 business days depending on distance. Full truckload is usually 1-3 days. Expedited can be next day. Weather, holidays, and freight class affect timing. Get a transit time estimate in writing before you book.
how long does hub and spoke shipping take
Hub and spoke adds 1-2 days compared to direct shipping but costs significantly less. Your freight gets consolidated at the hub then moves on optimized routes. Good for non-urgent shipments where cost matters more than speed.
when to book freight shipping
Book LTL 1-2 days ahead for standard service. Full truckload needs 2-5 days notice depending on season. Peak seasons (harvest, back-to-school, holidays) require more lead time. Expedited services can often pick up same day.
Ready to talk?
Gateway Distribution handles hub-and-spoke distribution in Arizona and the area around it.