Buy trucks or hire a trucking company?
Cost breakdown and decision guide for Rhode Island businesses.
Your shipping volume is climbing along I-95 and Route 6. Truck payments, driver wages, and DOT requirements add up fast. But so do monthly freight bills. You need to know which option costs less over time in Rhode Island.
Most Rhode Island companies face this choice when they hit 15-20 shipments per month. Owning trucks means truck payments, commercial insurance, maintenance, driver wages, and DOT compliance costs. Hiring trucking companies means per-shipment fees but no fixed overhead.
Owning trucks typically costs $8,000-12,000 per month per truck in Rhode Island. This includes the truck payment, insurance, fuel, maintenance, and a driver's salary. Hiring freight companies costs $200-800 per shipment depending on size and distance. The math shifts around 40 consistent loads per month.
Calculate your total shipping costs for the past six months. Include everything: fuel, driver time, vehicle wear, insurance increases. Compare that to quotes from hub-and-spoke services like Gateway Distribution. Most companies save money outsourcing until they ship 40+ loads monthly. Get quotes for both options before deciding.
Once you pick the right approach, your shipping costs become predictable. You can focus on growing your business instead of managing trucks and drivers. Your freight moves efficiently whether you own the trucks or hire the service.
Other things people in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island and the area around it.