Should I buy trucks or hire a trucking company?
Hub-and-spoke distribution guidance for Washington businesses from Gateway Distribution.
Your shipping volume is climbing in Washington. Truck payments, driver wages, and maintenance costs sound expensive. But so do monthly freight bills. You need to know which option saves money long-term.
Most Washington businesses face this choice when they hit 15-20 shipments per month. Buying trucks means truck payments, commercial insurance, DOT compliance, driver wages, and maintenance costs. Hiring trucking companies means per-shipment fees but no fixed overhead.
Total cost of ownership for one truck typically runs $8,000-$12,000 per month including payments, insurance, fuel, driver salary, and repairs. Outsourcing costs vary by route and frequency but averages $800-$1,500 per load. The math shifts around 40+ loads per month consistently.
Calculate your actual shipping volume over the past six months. Include peak seasons and slow periods. Count every load that would need a truck, not just current shipments. Gateway Distribution can run cost comparisons for your specific routes between Seattle, Spokane, and your regular destinations.
Once you know the real numbers, the choice becomes clear. Companies shipping under 40 loads monthly usually save money outsourcing. Higher-volume shippers often benefit from their own fleet after factoring in route efficiency and schedule control.
Other things people in Washington 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 Washington and the area around it.