Should I buy my own truck or use a freight company?
The real math on trucking costs for Kansas businesses shipping regularly.
You ship enough that freight costs are adding up. Maybe it's time to buy your own truck and handle deliveries yourself. But the math isn't as simple as truck payment versus shipping bills, especially when you factor in Kansas's spread-out cities and highway distances.
The break-even point depends on how often you ship the same routes. If you're shipping three or more times per week to the same destinations, owning might make sense. Less frequent shipping usually costs more with your own truck because you're paying for the vehicle whether it's moving or sitting.
Buying a truck means driver wages, commercial insurance, maintenance, fuel, and downtime costs. In Kansas, with distances between Wichita, Topeka, and Kansas City, you'll rack up serious highway miles. Insurance alone runs $8,000 to $15,000 yearly for commercial coverage. Add $60,000 to $80,000 in driver wages, plus maintenance that averages 15 cents per mile.
Most businesses save money using freight companies until they hit 50 shipments per month consistently. Less than truckload shipping lets you pay only for the space you use without truck ownership headaches. Gateway Distribution handles the insurance, maintenance, and driver management while you focus on your business. Calculate your monthly shipping volume and frequency first.
With freight companies, you pay per shipment and walk away. No surprise repair bills, no driver call-offs, no insurance claims. Your shipping costs become predictable, and you can scale up or down based on actual demand without being stuck with truck payments.
Other things people in Kansas ask
LTL vs full truckload
Use LTL for shipments under 10,000 pounds or less than 12 pallets. Full truckload makes sense for 15+ pallets or when you need faster transit. LTL costs less for small shipments but takes longer due to multiple stops.
LTL shipping cost
LTL pricing depends on weight, distance, freight class, and pickup/delivery type. Residential delivery costs more than commercial. Get quotes with the exact weight, dimensions, and ZIP codes. Expect $200-800 for most LTL shipments under 5,000 pounds.
emergency freight shipping
Expedited freight gets priority handling and faster transit times. It costs 50-100% more than standard shipping but can turn a 5-day shipment into next-day delivery. Gateway Distribution offers expedited services for time-critical freight.
why is freight so expensive
Fuel costs, driver shortages, and equipment availability drive freight pricing. Rates fluctuate seasonally and with demand. Get quotes from multiple carriers and consider longer-term contracts for rate stability during volatile periods.
how to choose freight company
Check their DOT safety rating and insurance coverage first. Ask for references from similar businesses. Look for real-time tracking and dedicated customer service. Make sure they handle your type of freight regularly, not as a one-off.
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Gateway Distribution handles less than truckload (ltl) in Kansas and the area around it.