Buy trucks or hire a trucking company?
Cost breakdown and decision framework from Gateway Distribution in Tennessee, TN.
Your shipping volume is growing across Tennessee routes like I-40 and I-75. 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.
Most Tennessee businesses face this decision when they hit 15-20 shipments per month. Truck ownership means payments, insurance, maintenance, driver wages, and DOT compliance costs. Outsourcing means per-shipment fees but no fixed overhead or regulatory headaches.
Owning trucks typically costs $8,000-$12,000 per month per vehicle before you move a single load. Add driver wages ($50,000-$65,000 annually), insurance ($8,000-$15,000 per truck), and maintenance reserves. Outsourcing costs vary by distance and freight type but eliminates fixed costs entirely.
Calculate your total monthly shipping spend versus truck ownership costs. Most companies save money outsourcing until they consistently ship 40+ loads per month. Gateway Distribution's hub-and-spoke system from Cincinnati, New York, and Virginia hubs often costs less than maintaining your own fleet for Tennessee routes.
Once you make the right choice, you can focus on your core business instead of truck maintenance and driver management. Your freight moves reliably without the operational complexity of fleet ownership.
Other things people in Tennessee 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 Tennessee and the area around it.