Should I buy my own truck or use a freight company?
Honest cost breakdown from Gateway Distribution, backhaul logistics in Ohio, OH.
You're shipping enough that freight costs are adding up. You're wondering if buying your own truck would save money. The math gets complicated when you factor in all the hidden costs of truck ownership.
Owning a truck means paying for driver wages, commercial insurance, maintenance, fuel, and downtime between loads. Insurance alone runs $8,000-15,000 per year for commercial coverage. Add driver wages at $50,000-70,000 annually, plus benefits. Maintenance and repairs average $15,000-20,000 per truck per year.
Most businesses break even on truck ownership around 50+ shipments per month on consistent routes. If you ship the same route 3+ times weekly, ownership starts making sense. Occasional or irregular shipping almost always costs less with freight companies. Factor in truck payments, permits, and DOT compliance too.
Track your shipping patterns for three months before deciding. Count total shipments, routes, and current freight costs. If the numbers point to ownership, start with one used truck and a reliable driver. Gateway Distribution can handle your freight while you evaluate, giving you real cost data to compare against truck ownership.
Once you have clear data, the choice becomes obvious. Either you save money with your own truck on regular routes, or you stick with freight companies for flexibility and lower overhead. Both work when matched to your actual shipping patterns.
Other things people in Ohio 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 Ohio and the area around it.