Short Haul
Short-haul trucking involves drivers driving to local and regional areas to deliver freight. Learn more about short-haul driving, the benefits and challenges, and FreightCenter’s relationship with short-haul drivers.
What is Short-Haul Trucking?
Short-haul trucking involves drivers delivering freight to local and regional areas. The maximum distance a short-haul driver can drive varies, typically ranging from 150 to 250 miles.
Short-haul drivers work in shifts to transport various loads, from small packages to heavy items, using trucks of different sizes. Some local drivers use smaller trucks, while others employ the same specialized rigs as long-haul drivers.
There are two types of short-haul driving: regional and local. Regional drivers have more freedom on the road while still being able to return home daily. They cross state lines often, meaning they might have to sleep in their truck or at a hotel for a few nights, but they get to go home regularly.
Drivers who work locally operate within their cities or towns. They usually transport goods from warehouses to their destinations, often making multiple daily trips. They also handle perishable deliveries to places such as grocery stores and pharmacies. While they encounter more traffic, they benefit from returning home every day.
Short-haul drivers can also be divided into company drivers or owner-operators. Company drivers work directly for carriers and can receive health insurance and 401K benefits. Owner-operators are independent contractors who obtain loads through load boards or carrier contracts and have flexibility in choosing loads and time off.
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Why Choose FreightCenter?
Expertise in Freight Shipping: With over 25 years in the logistics industry, FreightCenter is dedicated to guiding you through the entire logistics process, from beginning to end. Our goal is to make freight shipping easy to understand and book. Don’t waste time researching and receiving quotes from individual carriers- FreightCenter’s got your back!
Competitive Rates with Tailored Solutions: We prioritize high-quality customer service without breaking your wallet. We utilize our relationships with regional and national carriers to offer you competitive, affordable rates while providing personalized solutions to your needs. Need a liftgate? We got you! Want to expedite your order? Leave it to us! We’re ready to provide tailored solutions that don’t compromise your freight shipment.
Personalized Customer Support: FreightCenter is committed to satisfying our customers. Our friendly customer support team is here to help you every step of the way, from initial inquiries to post-shipment concerns. We handle all aspects of logistics, including tracking, paperwork, and communication with carriers, so you can focus on your business while we manage your shipment. Choose us for our reliable service and affordable quotes!
Duties of a Long Haul Driver
Short-haul drivers have many responsibilities under their belt. Some of the things they need to do include the following:
- Drive a couple of hours delivering freight loads to local and regional destinations
- Load and unload freight multiple times a day
- Perform safety checks and possible maintenance before and after deliveries
- Obey local traffic laws and regulations
- Prepare for emergencies and unexpected interruptions
Commercial drivers typically need to log their hours of service (HOS) on an electronic logging device as part of their duties. However, short-haul drivers who drive within 150-250 miles are exempt from HOS rules so long as they don’t exceed the maximum working period of 14 hours.
Drivers also need to have the following qualities to be successful at short-haul driving:
- Reliability and honesty
- Good driving skills
- Good at following directions
- Can handle constant unloading and loading
- Know the area well
- Comfortable with predictable routes
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Pros and Cons of Short Haul Trucking
Short-haul driving is fulfilling for those who want to drive large trucks but also be close to home. However, it comes with some considerable drawbacks.
Pros
- Operating in a familiar area can be advantageous for short-haul drivers. They don’t have to search for fueling stations or rest areas since they know where everything they need is.
- Short-haul drivers may eventually be able to book their own dedicated runs. Having the same route every time means they know what to expect and when to get home.
- Many short-haul drivers who are locally based get to return home at the end of the day. They also have a better work-life balance since they aren’t always on the road for extended periods of time.
- Short-haul drivers don’t experience as much fatigue as other long-distance drivers do. They do spend long periods alone in their trucks, but they get to go home regularly to make up for it.
- There are fewer expenses necessary for short-haul drivers. They use smaller, less expensive equipment that doesn’t require as much maintenance and fuel as big, long-haul trucks.
Cons
- While short-haul drivers work in shifts, those shifts can be pretty long. Drivers must constantly unload and load their trucks, which can be taxing for their bodies and a pain if their delivery points don’t have loading docks.
- Newer drivers have inconsistent schedules involving multiple deliveries at once, time-sensitive deliveries, or periods with no deliveries at all.
- Balancing customer expectations is crucial in short-haul trucking, as drivers frequently interact with their customers. Since short-haul drivers often have multiple packages to deliver, delays can disrupt their schedule and keep customers waiting.
- Any delay, from traffic congestion to holdups at a loading dock, can throw off a short-haul driver. There also aren’t as many alternate routes for drivers to use instead if they are in a city or small town.
- Short-haul trucking pays drivers based on their volume of work and the distance driven, with no pay for idle time.
FreightCenter’s Relationship with Short Haul Drivers
Short-haul drivers have an essential role within their local communities. Not only must they deliver all kinds of freight within their region, but they also have to do it all before their shift is completed. However, prospective truck drivers who wish to be closer to home or aren’t comfortable driving long distances alone may find short-haul driving a worthwhile endeavor.
FreightCenter recognizes how important short-haul drivers are to the smooth running of the supply chain. That’s why we’ve teamed up with over 50 carriers nationwide. Our carriers rely on local and regional short-haul drivers for effective deliveries and satisfactory customer service. FreightCenter leverages its relationship with carriers to offer customers customizable shipping options and exclusive, cost-effective rates.
Do you need to transport a heavy load across the country? Contact FreightCenter to find the best long-haul carriers in the business. Get started with our free online quote tool or call (800) 716-7608 to speak to one of our agents today!
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Frequently Asked Questions about Short Haul Trucking
Q. What is short-haul trucking?
Short-haul trucking involves drivers traveling within a 150- to 250-mile radius to deliver freight loads. Short-haul drivers work locally or regionally to provide loads of various sizes. Many drivers get to return home daily after their shifts are done, though some may have to spend a night or two away from home, depending on the load.
Q. How does short-haul differ from long-haul?
Long-haul trucking (or over-the-road trucking) is when truck drivers travel long distances (over 250 miles) to deliver freight. Unlike short-haul drivers, long-haul drivers deliver beyond their head stations, usually making 1000-2000 miles per trip. Since they travel so far, long-haul drivers don’t usually get to go home for days or even weeks at a time, but they’re paid more in return. However, short-haul drivers have a better work-life balance and have fewer expenses than long-haul drivers.
Q. Is short-haul trucking the same as line haul?
It’s a complicated answer. Line haul is a logistics model that involves moving freight across different modes of transportation. Freight is transferred from one point to the next in a relay race to reduce costs and increase efficiency and timeliness. Short-haul drivers can be a part of a line haul operation; they work in shifts delivering freight from one place to another, usually from a warehouse or terminal to a local endpoint. Some short-haul drivers are even called line-haul drivers by their carriers. However, short-haul trucking isn’t line haul itself; it’s a form of freight trucking that line haul can utilize for effective delivery.
Q. How does someone become a short-haul driver?
Prospective short-haul drivers should obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or enroll in a driving school. Many carriers will sponsor students if they can’t afford the tuition and may even offer their in-house training. Drivers must be 18 years old to drive locally and over 21 years old to travel outside their home state.
3 Advantages of Using FreightCenter
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 small business for the intricate world of logistics.
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.
