Line Haul
Line haul is the movement of freight between different modes of transportation, like water, air, and truck. Learn what line haul is, how it works, and why it matters in logistics.
What is Line Haul?
Line haul is a logistics model that involves the movement of freight across different transportation modes—rail, water, air, and truck. Line haul has been compared to a relay race, and there’s a good reason. To effectively transport goods and services from one city to another, you need a solid strategy that doesn’t waste time and mileage.
Line hauling combines different kinds of transportation, infrastructure, and people to transport goods and services from point A to point B. Tracking technology is critical in line haul, as carriers want to reduce travel time and find the optimal path to their destination.
Many freight carriers utilize line-haul logistics to maximize delivery efficiency while reducing transportation costs. Keep reading to learn how line haul transportation works and how FreightCenter can help you find the right carrier for your shipping needs.
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Why Choose FreightCenter for Line Haul?
Logistics Expertise: We have 25 years of experience in the freight broker business. Our team of knowledgeable experts has shipped everything you can imagine, from bulk items to heavy haul loads. We’ll guide you through the shipping process from beginning to end, answering all your questions along the way.
Professional Carrier Network: Our network of professional, vetted carriers is available and ready to deliver your shipment on time. You don’t need to research each carrier alone; we’ll discover the right carrier for your specific needs. We’ll also leverage our relationships to offer affordable, competitive rates that won’t break the bank.
Customizable Shipping Options: We offer customizable shipping options and services to cater to your specific needs. Need to get your shipment there fast? Use our expedited shipping services. Need a liftgate or white glove services? We can provide those as well. No matter what your shipment calls for, we can provide a solution that won’t compromise on timeliness and cost.
Friendly Customer Support: Our knowledgeable agents and friendly customer support team will guide you through the booking process, from pre-booking inquiries to post-shipment concerns. Don’t worry about filing the paperwork or figuring out your bill; we’re there for you every step of the way. Your shipment is in safe hands when you book with us.
More on Line Haul
Line haul usually focuses on shorter-distance deliveries, where drivers travel 2-5 hours to a destination. These destinations may not be the final destination; drivers may either meet up with another driver who takes the shipment to another location, or the driver drops off the item at a terminal or sort facility.
Loads range from small packages to heavy pallets. These can be transported by several methods, including LTL and FTL. However, shippers utilizing line haul transportation usually ship large amounts of pallets, bulk goods, and raw materials.
Goods with similar destinations undergo several rounds of consolidation, traveling between different terminals, depots, and distribution and sorting facilities before reaching their destination. This ensures that all items passing through can get to their destination quicker.
- Carriers and drivers (typically short-haul drivers)
- Dock workers
- Trucks, rail, air, and ocean freighters
- Terminals and depots
- Distribution/sorting centers
People and locations play a crucial role in ensuring the swift delivery of items to their destinations. Traveling between different modes of transportation and locations can be costly, making line haul optimization a key aspect of transportation logistics. Line haul carriers must guarantee that goods are transported on time without incurring excessive costs.
Line Haul Charges
Line haul charges refer to the transportation costs linked with line haul transportation. The total cost for transporting an item via line haul is calculated based on the distance of routes from the pickup location to the destination, fuel consumption, and the time the driver takes to reach the destination. This cost does not cover the loading and unloading of the freight.
Optimizing routes and transportation is crucial for reducing line haul costs. That’s why line haul operations depend on the latest tracking technology, helping drivers find the shortest and fastest route to their destination and providing real-time updates and information to recipients about their shipments. This ensures everyone is informed and helps prevent miscommunications from causing delays in the line haul process.
To create value for our customers by delivering customized shipping solutions that meet their unique needs and to fulfill shipping demands from simple to complex with expertise, guidance and ingenuity.
Trust the experts at FreightCenter to give you the best prices and the most comprehensive options for all your LTL freight shipping needs.
We deliver optimized solutions for full or partial truckloads and competitive dry van, flatbed, and refrigerated freight pricing. We can cover your full truckload shipping needs.
Nationwide Expedited Trucking services move your freight securely and rapidly. Your freight requires fast delivery; our freight shipping experts can get your shipment fast, whether in one large box or a full truckload.
Real-time updates and information on your shipment are ready for you to check with our advanced TMS technology.
FreightCenter’s Relationship with Line Haul
At FreightCenter, we know how important it is to get your items quickly while keeping costs low. That’s why we collaborate with a network of skilled carriers to identify the most efficient and shortest routes to the destination while providing competitive and affordable rates. Additionally, you can track your items through our website and contact our friendly Customer Support representatives for any issues or concerns.
Try our free online quote tool or call (800) 716-7608 to start shipping effectively today!
Guaranteed competitive pricing every time you ship.
Frequently Asked Questions about Line Haul
Q. What kind of items ship best with line haul?
Line haul can ship any good or service, from small packages to huge pallets. However, it typically specializes in bulk goods and heavy loads since it’s difficult to transport these items over long distances.
Q. What’s the difference between line haul and long haul?
Long haul is another logistics model. You can think of it as line haul’s opposite; long haul transportation utilizes one mode to deliver items over long distances. The difference between the two lies in their truck carriers. Long haul carriers travel many days and weeks to deliver freight, traveling on the highway without going home or even having a home to go to. Line haul carriers, meanwhile, work in shifts, often traveling the same routes each time. They deliver their items between terminals and depots or trade-off with another driver along the route.
Q. Why does tracking matter in line haul optimization?
Tracking is how line haul carriers determine their customers’ transportation costs. Data collected during deliveries allows for better route optimization enhancements. It also provides transparency and visibility for the customer and shipper, as they can see where their freight is and how long it’ll take to arrive.
Q. How can I find out if a carrier utilizes line haul?
The best way is to contact carriers and ask whether they utilize line hauling. A FreightCenter agent can also look into line haul carriers for you, leveraging our relationships with over 50+ carriers to find carriers with the most effective and cost-cutting line haul optimization. Some of our carriers who utilize line haul include Estes, Old Dominion, and Saia.
Three Advantages of Using FreightCenter for Line Haul
25+ Years of Service
We have over 25 years of experience, as evidenced by our large network of professional carriers. Our knowledgeable team of shipping experts is ready to help you optimize your shipping experience.
Customizable Shipping Options
Need a liftgate? No problem! Need to ship your products quickly? We got you covered! Our FreightCenter agents can offer tailored solutions for your specific shipping needs while offering affordable rates you can’t find anywhere else.
Friendly Customer Support
Our customer support team has the answers to many of your shipping questions and concerns. We’re here to help you through every step of the shipping process, from initial inquiries to post-shipment issues.