Shipping Lumber & Wood Transporting

Lumber is one of the most common commodities in the United States, which means many companies rely on lumber transportation services in order to run their business. Luckily there are a number of shipping options for all kinds of wood.

Hauling lumber may seem like a complicated process, but it’s really not any more difficult than shipping any other commodity. If you want to transport wood we can give you access to quotes from a wide range of trusted lumber shipping companies to help you find the very best price for your job.

What Types of Lumber Can We Help You Ship

Hauling Wood: Lumber Transportation Services When it comes to wood transport, there are really no limitations on what can be shipped.

We can help you find a lumber hauling company for virtually any kind of wood.

Some of the most common types of wood we deal with are alder, cedar, ash, birch, maple, basswood, oak, hickory, pine, walnut, poplar, and cherry.

We also have experience shipping more exotic woods, such as beech and mahogany.

If you have any questions about the type of wood or lumber you’d like to ship please feel free to reach out to us.

We’ll be happy to provide you with any information you might need.

What are Typical Lumber Shipping Costs

The cost of hauling lumber will depend on a few different factors, such as the amount of wood you’re shipping, the total weight of the shipment, the distance you want to ship it, and the size or shape of your lumber.

As with any type of shipping, the more you ship the better deal you’re going to get per pound. Small shipments of lumber are often very costly, so it’s more cost-effective to wait until you have a larger shipment. You’ll find with smaller loads that adding more lumber will hardly affect the price, so try to fit as much lumber in one load as possible. The best bulk rates for lumber are generally between 60-70 lbs, and over 150 lbs.

Shipping companies may charge you more for oddly shaped or larger pieces of lumber, as these are more awkward to haul. So keep this in mind if you’re looking to cut costs.

As an example of the type of prices you can expect to pay, shipping 150 lbs of lumber 850 miles will cost around $250. Moving lumber across state lines generally won’t affect shipping costs. Make sure to get quotes from several different lumber hauling companies to find the best price. By using our free quote tool you’ll be able to get prices from a number of reputable carriers and find the best option for your needs and budget.

Reliable Lumber Shipping Companies

You may think that you need to hire specific lumber shipping companies to haul wood, but that’s not the case. You don’t need a special lumber trailer or wood hauling truck for the majority of deliveries. Most standard carriers will be able to ship your lumber for you, assuming it doesn’t exceed the size requirements.

You can ship lumber as long as 84” with standard ground carriers, such as FedEx or UPS. You can also ship it via USPS if it’s under 72” in length. If your lumber is any longer than that you’ll have to use LTL truck freight. Keep in mind that LTL truck freight isn’t very economical for shipments under 150 lbs.

So, how do you choose the best lumber hauling company? Your best bet is to use our free quote tool. There you’ll be able to see rates from a number of different carriers. You’ll also have access to user reviews so you can see what other people think of their service.

Useful Tips for Wood Transporting

Useful Tips for Wood TransportingHauling lumber doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few tips to help you make the process easier, and more cost-efficient.

When it comes to shipping wood, 70 lbs is the best size for smaller shipments. In order to get the best rate, try to get as close to that number without going over.

If your shipment is over 70 lbs, you may get a better rate by splitting the shipment into two different packages. Speak with your lumber shipping company if you have any questions about rates.

Another way to cut down on costs is to make sure your bundles of wood and lumber are all the same length.

Even having just one piece in the bundle that’s longer than the others could increase your shipping rate, so try to package the same-sized pieces together.

When preparing your lumber for shipping, start by wrapping the bundle with a plastic sheet or vapor barrier. Then place your bundle on a pallet and use two pairs of ¾” metal straps to secure your lumber. One pair should be wrapped around the bundle to hold the wood together, and the other pair should be used to secure the lumber to the pallet. Place a self-adhesive shipping label on the side of the bundle and include the correct information.

Why You Should Use FreightRun to Ship Your Lumber

When you use FreightRun for your lumber transportation, you’ll have access to dozens of different carriers. Simply enter your shipping information into our free quote tool to instantly see what lumber freighting companies are available, how much they’ll charge you to ship to your destination, and how long it will take.

You can also read reviews on each carrier right from our website. This allows you to perform all your research in one place, making it easy to find the best carrier for your needs.

If you have any questions about shipping lumber, or any other item, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our knowledgeable team will be happy to provide you with assistance.

FreightRun Full Truckload shipping experts can also determine for you if you might be better off shipping your lumber (or wood flooring) in a van or a flatbed trailer.  If you need the lumber tarped, that can be arranged.  Make sure to tell them the shipping and receiving conditions - are forklifts available at both ends?

Also, if you are looking to make a certain budget for the shipping, tell them your goal and if possible give them a multi-day window to meet it.  The supply and demand of trucks varies widely by day and region and hauling lane, so such flexibility increases the number of carriers with whom Freight Run can negotiate