Should I handle shipping myself or hire a freight company?

You're shipping enough that the costs are adding up. The math on buying your own truck versus hiring freight companies isn't clear. Oklahoma businesses face this decision when shipping volumes grow past what feels manageable but before the numbers obviously favor one approach.

Own trucks make financial sense if you ship the same route three or more times per week consistently. You need predictable volume to justify driver wages, commercial insurance, maintenance costs, and truck downtime. Most Oklahoma businesses underestimate these hidden costs when calculating ownership.

A commercial truck costs $15,000-25,000 annually just for insurance and maintenance, before fuel or driver wages. Factor in $50,000-70,000 yearly for a full-time driver. Empty return trips cut your efficiency in half. Most businesses save money with freight companies until they hit 50+ shipments per month on regular routes.

Calculate your current monthly shipping costs and compare them to truck ownership expenses. If you ship inconsistent routes or seasonal volumes, backhaul logistics through Gateway Distribution costs less than owning. You pay only for space used on trucks already making those trips. No empty trailers, no driver downtime, no maintenance headaches.

You'll have predictable shipping costs without the capital investment. Your freight moves reliably while you focus on running your business instead of managing trucks and drivers.

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