Should you buy trucks or hire a trucking company?
Real cost breakdown for Minnesota businesses from Gateway Distribution.
Your shipping volume is growing across Minnesota. 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 and when to make the switch.
Most Minnesota businesses face this decision when they hit 15-20 shipments per month. Buying trucks means truck payments, commercial insurance, maintenance, driver wages, and DOT compliance costs. Hiring a trucking company means per-shipment fees but no fixed overhead. The math depends on your shipping frequency and routes.
Owning trucks typically costs $8,000-12,000 per month per vehicle including all expenses. That breaks even around 40+ consistent loads monthly. Below that volume, outsourcing usually wins. Factor in seasonal fluctuations common in Minnesota industries. Empty trucks still cost money during slow months.
Calculate your total shipping costs for the past 12 months. Include everything: freight bills, fuel surcharges, detention fees. Then price out truck ownership: payments, insurance, maintenance, driver salary plus benefits, permits, and compliance. Gateway Distribution can provide detailed cost comparisons based on your actual shipping patterns and Minnesota routes.
Once you know the real numbers, the decision becomes clear. You either save money outsourcing or justify the investment in your own fleet. Either way, you stop wondering and start planning based on facts instead of guesswork.
Other things people in Minnesota 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 Minnesota and the area around it.