Should I buy my own truck or hire a freight company?
The honest math on shipping costs from Gateway Distribution in New Jersey, NJ.
You're shipping regularly and the freight bills are adding up. Maybe it's time to buy your own truck and handle delivery yourself. But the math gets complicated fast when you factor in driver wages, insurance, and maintenance costs across New Jersey's busy highway network.
The break-even point depends on how often you ship the same routes. Most businesses think they'll save money with their own truck, but forget about driver wages, commercial insurance, maintenance, and downtime. A truck sitting in the yard during repairs isn't making money.
Owning makes financial sense if you ship the same route three or more times per week consistently. Factor in $60,000-80,000 per year for a driver, $8,000-12,000 for commercial insurance, and $15,000-20,000 for maintenance and fuel. Most New Jersey businesses hit the break-even point around 50+ shipments per month on regular routes.
Start by tracking your current shipping patterns for three months. Count how many times you ship to the same destinations. If you're not hitting those volume thresholds consistently, freight companies like Gateway Distribution offer backhaul logistics that put your cargo on trucks already making the trip, cutting your costs without the truck payment.
Once you know your shipping patterns, you can make the call with real numbers. Either you'll have the volume to justify a truck, or you'll save money by sticking with freight companies that handle the headaches for you.
Other things people in New Jersey ask
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.
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.
backhaul vs dedicated trucking
Backhaul works when you have flexibility on pickup times and want the lowest cost. Dedicated trucks cost more but give you guaranteed capacity and schedules. If your shipments are time-sensitive or high-volume, dedicated is worth the extra cost.
Ready to talk?
Gateway Distribution handles backhaul logistics in New Jersey and the area around it.