How Does Truckload Capacity Work?

Maybe you’re trying to book truckload freight for your business and you’ve noticed something. Truckload freight rates seem higher than ever. What’s causing the increase in shipping prices? The answer is fairly simple. Truckload capacity plays a huge role in the price of freight shipping. 

Truckload capacity is related to how many drivers and how much equipment is available to move freight. If fewer drivers and equipment are available to move your shipment, costs will likely be higher. If there is a surplus of drivers and equipment available for your shipment, costs will likely be lower. Understanding truckload capacity will help you make sense of your shipping costs. 

What is Truckload Capacity?

You might know that truckload capacity is tight right now. Truckload capacity refers to the availability of drivers and equipment to move your shipment. When capacity is limited, as it is now, freight rates tend to go up. As truckload capacity increases and more drivers and equipment are available, truckload freight rates tend to do down. These shifts can significantly influence the cost of your shipment. Is simply depends on supply and demand and the availability of motor carriers. 

Today’s truckload shipping market is seeing a capacity crunch. Many factors are influencing the reduction in capacity across the trucking industry. Trucking companies have been influenced by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, fires on the West Coast, and other current events. Additionally, the transportation industry as a whole is seeing a truck driver shortage. This driver shortage increases costs for shippers and carriers as the market is tight.

Tightened truckload capacity is also driving up shipping spend for all kinds of businesses. Check out our list of 15 Easy Ways to Reduce Freight Costs and keep your shipping budget in the black.

Seasonal Truckload Capacity

There is a season for everything. This includes truckload shipping. Two things you might consider to keep your supply chains strong produce shipping season and peak shipping season. You might find reduced capacity for your shipment during these two busy times. Produce shipping season is generally in the spring and summer; peak shipping season is in the late summer to fall.

You might find produce shipping season, especially on the East Coast, lasts from April to July. This is when produce is being harvested and moves from the farmer’s field to processing centers to warehouses to supermarkets. 

Peak shipping season is when retailers are getting ready for the back to school and holiday rush. It typically lasts from August to October, just after produce shipping season. The volumes of shipments typically spike this time of year and full truckload spot rates might spike. 

Shipping along a busy route? USA Truckload Shipping, powered by R+L Global Logistics, can find capacity when you need freight shipping from Washington, D.C., to California and beyond.

How are Truckload Freight Rates Calculated?

Understanding truck capacity can help you cost-effectively move your shipment, as capacity is a major influencer is shipment price. However, truck capacity isn’t the only thing that comes into play when you consider truckload freight shipping rates.

Let’s look at a few of the factors that control how much you’ll pay for your next shipment.

• Handling: Are you shipping a truckload of palletized goods? This will make handling your shipment easier and can reduce the price. If your shipment requires extra handling or cannot be easily loaded, you might pay a little more.
• Loading and unloading: Along with handling, how your freight is loaded and unloaded might influence the price. Is liftgate service required? Do you have a receiving dock? These factors can influence the price.
• Origin and destination: Pickup and delivery destination comes into play when considering truckload freight rates. While the per-mile price might go down when you’re shipping cross country, the total price will be higher than if you’re shipping to neighboring states. 
• Time frame needed: Does it need to be there now? Expedited freight can cost more than your typical dry van truckload shipment. If you need a delivery time confirmed, like morning delivery or afternoon delivery, this might influence your rate, too.
• Specialty services needed: Your truckload freight rate will also depend on the services needed to move it. If you’re shipping appliances to a hotel, you might need white glove service with inside delivery and debris removal. If you’re moving production equipment for a factory, your load might be oversize and require special permitting and more.
• Insurance: It’s an unfortunate fact: accidents happen and sometimes your load is a loss. Thankfully, freight insurance can protect you and give you peace of mind. While most of the time your shipping partner can provide insurance, some commodities, like one-of-a-kind artwork might require private insurance. The value of your commodity and the insurance needed can affect cost.

Understanding everything that goes into your truckload freight quote can help ensure you get the best value for your shipment. From truckload capacity to services needed, a strategic partner can help you get the best value and a competitive quote for your shipment.

You need a strategic partner to locate capacity and get the job done. Let us help you with freight shipping from Mississippi to Texas and along any other freight route. We're here to help.

How to Find Truckload Capacity

You’re ready to move freight and you understand trucking capacity is right right now. Don’t worry -- you still have options. USA Truckload Shipping, powered by R+L Global Logistics, is ready to find the capacity needed to move your shipment at the right price.

We work with the best carriers on the road today to ensure a truck is always available for your shipment. Our core carriers are dedicated to providing the best truckload service possible, and this means being available when you need us. 

In addition to working with strong transportation management and shipping partner, your business can do a few other things to ensure capacity is available. You should design your warehouse to be as effective as possible. This will cater to carrier needs and keep your shipment moving quickly. You also might avoid booking your shipment during peak season and produce season. Being kind to shipping partners and drivers can also go a long way in finding a carrier when capacity is tight.

In all, the best thing you can do to find truckload capacity is to rely on a strong network of carriers, like those available through the services of R+L Global Logistics. Levy our relationships to ensure your freight gets on the road at a competitive price.

Need capacity now? Check out our available freight routes and get your goods on the go.

Get a Truckload Freight Quote Today

USA Truckload Shipping, powered by R+L Global Logistics, has the truckload capacity you need to move freight at a competitive price. Our services are diverse and we can handle everything from heavy haul trucking to finding the best hazmat carriers for your volatile freight.

No matter whether you’re booking a single shipment or seeking a long-term partner, let R+L Global Logistics go to work for you. Call us today at (866) 353-7178 and make your next shipment smooth.