Should I buy trucks or hire a trucking company?
Honest cost breakdown from Gateway Distribution, hub-and-spoke distribution in Florida, FL.
Your shipping volume is growing across Florida. Buying trucks and hiring drivers sounds expensive. But so does paying freight companies every month. You need to know which option costs less long-term.
Most companies underestimate the total cost of owning trucks. Beyond the truck payment, you pay for insurance, maintenance, driver wages, DOT compliance, and fuel. Empty miles between deliveries add up fast when you're running routes across Florida's I-4, I-10, and I-95 corridors.
The break-even point is usually 40+ loads per month consistently. Below that volume, trucking companies cost less because they spread fixed costs across many customers. Above 40 loads monthly, your own fleet might save money. Factor in seasonal fluctuations too.
Calculate your true shipping volume over the past six months. Include truck payments, insurance, maintenance, driver wages, and compliance costs in your analysis. Gateway Distribution can quote your current loads to give you a comparison baseline for the math.
Once you know the real numbers, the choice becomes clear. You either save money outsourcing or justify the investment in your own trucks. No more guessing about monthly freight costs versus fleet ownership.
Other things people in Florida 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 Florida and the area around it.