Short Haul vs Long Haul Trucking

Companies that need to transport goods are no strangers to the complexities of long haul and short haul logistics. Both of these types of freight movement demands meticulous planning, everything from optimizing routes to cutting costs and meeting tight delivery deadlines.

This guide dives into the big debate of short haul vs long haul trucking, breaking down what they're all about, the challenges you might face as a company or a driver, and so much more.

Short and Long Haul Trucking Explained

Every company that needs to transport goods must decide whether to adopt a short haul or long haul trucking strategy. Since these approaches serve distinctly different purposes, it's crucial to evaluate all factors carefully before deciding.

A Closer Look At Long Haul Trucking

Widely known as long haul trucking or long-distance trucking, this type of freight transportation involves moving goods over journeys of more than 250 miles (400 kilometers) in a single trip.

Unlike short haul trucking, long haul operations add a whole new level of complexity. Freight business owners face many more challenges, as drivers must cover larger distances across different states. This means coordinating with drivers throughout the day to ensure the delivery arrives safely.

Add the need for larger vehicles and drivers' understanding of cargo handling laws, and it becomes clear that long haul trucking requires a lot of effort.

Breaking Down Short Haul Trucking

As you can already probably guess by the name, short haul trucking involves transporting goods over relatively short distances, typically within 150 miles (241.4 km), and usually deliveries are completed within a single day.

These operations tend to be less complex than long haul trucking, as the vehicles used are smaller and better suited for navigating city streets. Additionally, if any issues arise, drivers can usually return to the warehouse easily and head back out to complete their drop-offs.

One big benefit short haul truckers get is they typically finish their shifts at the end of the workday, allowing them to drive home afterward. This is a big difference to long haul drivers, who may spend days on the road.

The Difference Between Long Haul and Short Haul Trucking

How Long Haul Trucking Works

A business that offers long haul trucking will follow similar procedures as any other, but how those operations unfold depends largely on the specifics of each journey.

Once an order comes in, the logistics team will get to work on planning the route. At this stage, everything must be considered, from fuel costs and driver well-being to fueling stations, all while meeting the promised long haul delivery time. The right vehicle also needs to be selected for the journey; it has to be one capable of supporting the load's weight and dimensions while keeping fuel consumption as low as possible to minimize costs.

Before hitting the road, drivers and operatives must understand the main loading and unloading practices to avoid getting injured and damaging the products. On top of that, it’s essential for them to know the driving laws and regulations in every state they’ll pass through. After all, Colorado's rules will be different from those in Louisiana. This type of freight is known as Over-the-Road (OTR) trucking.

Anyone behind the wheel must also be prepared for any unexpected situations, like breakdowns. Since the company may not always be right there to help, they could find themselves on the other side of the country, relying on their own skills.

The Process Behind Short Haul Trucking

On paper, short haul trucking appears quite similar to that of long haul trucking. However, the big difference lies in the distance the drivers travel, and the number of deliveries drivers handle during their shifts.

From a logistics perspective, the approach to deliveries and drop-off locations is comparable.

However, short haul drivers typically handle multiple deliveries in a single day, making several drop-offs within a 150-mile radius rather than driving directly to one destination. Fuel planning becomes less important since drivers operate within familiar areas, allowing them to be more proactive on the job.

While short haul drivers must still follow standard loading and unloading practices, their routes generally remain within a single state, so they don't have to learn any new driving laws. On rare occasions when state borders are crossed, drivers are briefed on the relevant rules in advance and can remember them if they ever need to make any future trips.

Once all their deliveries are finished for the day, short haul drivers can head straight home, resulting in a much more favorable work-life balance compared to their long haul counterparts.

Common Issues in Long Haul and Short Freight Businesses and Drivers' Experience

Obstacles Long Haul Freight Carriers Encounter

• Rising operating fees: Fuel increases, labor costs, and driver insurance have all increased in recent times.

• Managing driving hours: Certain laws dictate the maximum driving time a person can spend on the road before having a rest.

• Long haul truck driver shortages: Freight drivers are becoming less readily available, leading companies to pay higher salaries to fill the positions.

• Product standards: Making sure the load stays secure throughout the long journey so the customer is satisfied upon arrival.

Challenges Short Haul Freight Companies Face

• Satisfying customer demands: Since delivery distances are shorter, customers tend to expect things faster without considering other factors like high order volumes.

• Increased maintenance: Short haul fleets endure more wear and tear than others because they operate in compact urban areas and are constantly on the road. As a result, frequent servicing is required, which increases the firm's overall expenses.

• Increased fuel consumption: With the huge number of drop-offs short-haul drivers make in a day, this bumps up the amount of fuel their vehicles consume, adding extra costs to the company.

Difficulties That Long and Short Haul Drivers Have to Go Through

Issues Long Haul Drivers Have to Face

• Long working hours: Long-haul truck drivers have to travel for extended periods on a regular basis, which causes fatigue over time and puts them at higher risk of having an accident.

• Lack of health and fitness: Drivers often spend hours sitting without the opportunity for exercise and may struggle to find nutritious meals, especially when they're in remote areas with limited food options.

• Loneliness: When a driver is out on the road for days on end with little to no communication with anybody, it can cause them to feel severely lonely after a while.

Problems Short Haul Drivers Deal With

• Working across multiple routes:Short haul drivers usually have to complete multiple routes in a day, which can be heavily impacted by forces out of their control, such as traffic congestion. Sadly, this may result in delayed deliveries, keeping them out on the road longer than they'd like. In many cases, they're paid per mile, so they won't be compensated.

• Trailer locations:Depending on the warehouse, it may be the driver's responsibility to locate their load upon arrival, which can be challenging in a large facility. This process can sometimes take up to an hour or more, leading to delays before they can hit the road.

• Straining on their physical health:More drop-offs mean additional time spent loading and unloading with heavily weighing deliveries that take a significant toll on the body after a while.

The Key Benefits of Long-Haul and Short-Haul Transportation Services

Advantages of Long-Distance Freight

Long haul freight management companies enjoy several benefits from being in this industry, including:

• More exposure to wider markets: Since the market isn't limited to a single geographical region, it provides freight business owners with the opportunity to expand into new locations.

• Increased sales on the minimum order amount: Freight shipping companies typically set a minimum limit before confirming a load, which creates additional earning opportunities, as customers are required to meet a certain purchase threshold.

• Employment stability for drivers: With the driver shortage in America at the moment, any long haul trucker willing to take on a job involving extended journeys will walk into a job easily with a favorable contract.

Positive Features of Short Haul Trucking

• Shorter travel distances: Driving journeys are carried out within a 150-mile radius.

• Cost-effectiveness: It's a more affordable option for companies as operating costs are much lower, including fuel prices and driver wages.

• Smaller vehicles: Truck sizes can be smaller since the distances are shorter, which helps reduce the fees.

How Does Short Haul Trucking Compare to Long Haul?

One key decision for any entrepreneur entering the trucking industry is choosing between long haul and short haul trucking.

After examining both types, it’s clear that they serve two distinct purposes. Long haul transportation is designed for cross-country deliveries, covering multiple states over several days, and provides a more cost-effective option compared to air transport. In contrast, short haul trucking is more localized; it focuses on a specific area and allows companies to make multiple drop-offs in a short space of time, all while keeping costs as low as possible.

Before making any concrete calls, it's wise to use this guide to help you assess which transport method could bring significant profits and promote the growth of your business.