Own truck vs freight company: which costs less?

You're shipping enough that the freight bills are adding up. Maybe it's time to buy your own truck and handle deliveries yourself? The math isn't as clear as it seems, especially with Virginia's mix of I-95 corridor traffic and rural routes.

Most businesses think owning a truck saves money once shipping costs hit a certain point. The reality is more complex. You're not just buying a truck - you're paying for insurance, maintenance, fuel, driver wages, and covering downtime when the truck breaks or the driver calls in sick.

Owning makes financial sense if you ship the same route three or more times per week, consistently. Factor in $80,000-120,000 for a decent used truck, $15,000-25,000 annual insurance, $8,000-12,000 maintenance, plus driver wages around $55,000-65,000 in Virginia. Most businesses break even around 50+ shipments per month.

Before you buy, try backhaul logistics with Gateway Distribution. Your freight rides on trucks already making the trip, so you skip the empty trailer costs. Compare those rates against your total truck ownership costs - insurance, maintenance, wages, everything. Run the numbers for six months of actual shipping volume.

You'll know within a quarter whether ownership makes sense for your routes and volume. Most Virginia businesses find backhaul logistics keeps costs predictable without the headaches of truck ownership, driver management, or breakdown delays.

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