What is a Long Haul?

Records show that 16.6% of the value of goods transported in the US in 2023 were via long haul freight. This data is according to the records of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. It is also noteworthy that the US has more than 640,000 long haul freight trucking companies as of 2023.

These statistics indicate that long haul freight trucking is an integral aspect of the US economy. So, what is long haul trucking? In this article, you will find valuable information about this aspect of freight transportation, and more.

Long Haul Meaning

In freight transportation, familiarity with the long haul meaning is critical. It is the movement of goods for significantly long distances. Typically, this refers to the transportation of goods for distances of at least 250 miles. In 2023, 6.4% of the weight of goods transported in the US covered such long haul distances. These goods were worth over $280 billion in 2023, according to IBIS World.

Long haul transport requires an excellent awareness of cross-border regulations. Such drivers transit the US-Canada and the US-Mexico borders with shipments. Therefore, they have to obtain the necessary documents to avoid issues with customs duties. Such ignorance and negligence can lead to unnecessary delays or confiscation of goods.

Long Haul Versus Short Haul Transportation

Long haul transportation is the opposite of short haul transportation. In long haul delivery, drivers cover a long distance, which requires drivers to be away from home for long periods. The nature of the traveling requires drivers to travel for weeks or months, depending on the distance. Meanwhile, short haul transportation requires the movement of goods across short distances. Therefore, such drivers can go home every night.

More so, drivers involved in long haul transport incur higher on-road expenses. They will have to eat, drink, and sometimes lodge in hotels to refresh themselves. However, such expenses are limited in short haul transport. Such drivers cover distances between 150 miles and 250 miles. Therefore, they require limited supplies for their journeys.

Moreover, long haul transport involves a low frequency of unloading freights. Typically, the shipments on long haul trucks are meant to be delivered in bulk to their locations. Therefore, the idling time is shorter and the frequency of unloading is lower. Comparatively, in short haul transport, the idling time and unloading frequency are higher. This is due to the typical use of short haul freight transport for delivering goods to multiple customers.

Long Haul Freight

Long haul freight refers to the movement of cargo across a distance of 250 miles or more. Long haul freight carriers transport goods via air, ocean, road or rail. The 250-mile specification is typically for road transportation, especially with the use of trucks. Meanwhile, long haul trains are categorized based on the composition of more than one standard train formation.

If the transportation is by air, a long haul flight lasts more than seven hours. When it is up to twelve hours or more, it is described as ultra-long haul flights. Flights between three and seven hours are classified as medium haul flights.

Importance of Long Haul Freight Transportation

According to IBIS World, over 682,000 businesses with over a million employees operate long haul freight transportation in the US. This number is expected to increase further in the years to come due to its steady rise in recent years. Economic experts in the US often use long haul transportation performance as a crucial index of economic growth. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, activities in this industry slowed down.

The decline in activities in this industry during the pandemic indicated retrogressive economic growth. Meanwhile, a surge in demand in this industry after the pandemic indicated a rising economy. Therefore, robust activities in the long haul freight industry play a vital role in the US economy. Many wholesalers, retailers, and e-commerce companies rely on long haul freight transportation.

By implication, long haul freight transportation involves interstate and international movement of goods. Trucks involved in this transportation are involved in conveying shipments from the US to Canada and Mexico. Therefore, long haul transportation is essential to manufacturing companies and others in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

These services are crucial to the supply chain of these companies, including the manufacturing and sales of goods. This importance explains the reason several companies in the US are offering these services within and outside the country.

Long Haul Trucking

Long haul trucking is a form of long haul freight involving the transportation of goods with the aid of trucks. These commercial trucks move shipments across distances of at least 250 miles. In some quarters, it is called Over the Road (OTR) trucking. In the US, long haul truck drivers transit states to deliver raw materials and finished products to different locations.

Due to its role in goods delivery and customer satisfaction, long haul trucking is beneficial to customers and companies. It also offers several benefits to the drivers. For example, long haul truckers earn high salaries and have flexible schedules. They are also eligible for bonuses and paid vacations.

Long Haul Trucking Challenges

Long haul trucking has some challenges despite its numerous benefits. For instance, long-distance travel requires high fuel costs, which can be damaging in cases of fuel price increments. The maintenance of fleet drivers is also challenging, especially the regulation of their service hours.

The chances of goods rejection are also higher with long haul trucking. This is due to the possibility of goods damage from the long-distance travelling. Such traveling leads to exposure to harsh weather conditions, which can be unfavorable to certain goods. Perishable goods, in particular, are not suitable for long haul trucking.

The long hours of driving also expose the drivers to extreme stress. Coupled with the possible exposure to harsh weather conditions, long haul truckers are susceptible to mental and physical exhaustion. The likelihood of an irregular work schedule can also affect the stability and work-life balance of the drivers.

Long Haul Management

Long haul management is crucial due to the numerous challenges involved in this form of transportation. Excellent truck haul management is the trademark of reputable long haul logistics companies. Such organizations envisage the challenges and proffer effective solutions to guarantee customer satisfaction.

For example, such companies leverage fleet management software to ensure effective routing. Therefore, their drivers minimize lost time to ensure timely delivery of shipments to customers. They also leverage GPS fleet tracking systems for re-routing in case of unexpected events. This might involve dispatching the cargo to short haul truckers.

Top-notch long haul trucking logistics companies evaluate the shelf-life of the goods in the cargo. Therefore, they consider the possibility of damage to goods, especially perishable goods. They factor in the possibility of delays and idling before delivery, limiting the possibility of damage to goods.

What is a long haul truck driver without motivation? Therefore, these companies also ensure that long-haul truck drivers are compensated generously to keep them motivated. Bonuses such as paid vacations ensure that the drivers are refreshed and reinvigorated, ensuring consistently high performance.

Health insurance and welfare packages also ensure that the physical and psychological health of the drivers is preserved. The combination of these factors guarantees high employee performance and customer satisfaction.