Buy trucks or hire a trucking company?
The real cost breakdown for West Virginia businesses from Gateway Distribution.
Your shipping volume is growing across West Virginia's mountain routes. Buying trucks and hiring drivers sounds expensive, but so does paying freight companies every month. You're not sure which option costs less long-term.
Most businesses face this decision when they hit 15-20 shipments per month. Truck ownership means payments, insurance, maintenance, driver wages, and DOT requirements. Hiring trucking companies means per-shipment fees but no fixed costs or headaches.
Owning trucks typically costs $8,000-12,000 per month per vehicle in West Virginia. This includes payments, insurance, fuel, maintenance, and driver wages. Hiring trucking companies runs $200-800 per shipment depending on size and distance. The break-even point usually hits around 40+ consistent loads monthly.
Calculate your total cost of ownership first. Include truck payments, commercial insurance, maintenance, driver wages, benefits, and DOT compliance costs. Compare this to your current freight bills over 12 months. Gateway Distribution can provide shipping cost estimates to help with your analysis.
Most companies save money outsourcing until they reach high, consistent volumes. You avoid the fixed costs, driver turnover, and regulatory requirements while keeping flexibility for busy and slow periods.
Other things people in West Virginia 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 West Virginia and the area around it.