While less talked about in domestic shipping compared to long haul, there are many benefits of short-haul trucking. Short-haul trucking is the transportation of freight over relatively short distances. The distance is roughly less than 250 miles and may include nearby cities or the same metropolitan area. This transport type is usually further broken down into local and regional trucking. Local shipping is typically done in a single city, while regional shipping occurs in longer distances, including cross-state lines. However, regional is distinctly different from long-haul trucking. The differences between the two transportation types extend significantly beyond shipment lengths and directly impact the shippers and drivers.
How Does Short-Haul Differ From Long-Haul?
The primary difference between short and long-haul trucking is the distance the carrier moves the shipment. As previously mentioned, Short-haul is usually smaller than 250 miles and at nearby distances. Long-haul trucking is over a radius of 250 miles and is cross-country or through different countries. Examples include from California to Florida or from Texas to Canada. The length that the carrier moves the cargo leads to other distinctions. The duration that the trucker is on the road for short-haul is usually a single day or a few days at most. Drivers for long-haul trucking spend a much more extended time traveling, including more days and even weeks at a period.
Longer distances also mean that the routes and amounts of deliveries differ between the two transport types. Since short-haul trucking can have multiple deliveries in a day, it often will run in a predetermined radius. Long-haul entails moving through long highways and major interstates for a single delivery. Due to the time that long-haul drivers spend on the road, they tend to be more regulated. Regulations include equipment specifications, entry requirements, and trucker hours as well. For example, a long-haul driver cannot spend more than 11 hours driving in a 14-hour window daily. There are also differences in expenses like operating costs and fuel charges, which are much more for long-distance trucking.
What Are The Benefits Of Short-Haul Trucking?
Short-haul trucking has grown recently due to its benefits for shippers and truckers. The short distances mean quicker delivery times and also create road familiarity. This allows haulers to find the most ideal routes for smooth deliveries. Truck drivers also feel the advantages of short-short-haul. Shorter distances mean drivers save on vehicle maintenance and fuel costs. Less fuel consumption also reduces carbon emissions, which promotes environmental sustainability. Another benefit is that drivers can go home at the end of the day instead of spending days traveling. Spending less time on the road also lowers the risk of driver fatigue, which can lead to accidents.
Long-haul trucking also has benefits like independence, high demand, and drivers earning a stable income. It is also essential in international shipping, where seaport imports must ship to an inland area. Despite the differences between the transportation types, both are crucial components of the domestic shipping industry. Together, they move over 72% of the freight in the U.S. by weight. To start short-haul or any other type of trucking, contact A1 Freight Solutions at info@a1fsinc.com or 786-375-9420. We are in touch with numerous carriers that can ship your goods anywhere in the U.S.