Fed Ex and UPS deliver well over 6 billion parcels to American consumers every year. But if you’re an importer or retailer needing to move large volumes of cargo from the port or airport to your warehouse, what services should you turn to?
There are some rail options in the US—there are seven main lines and hundreds of regional lines still operational across the country. However, this sector is most used for heavy freight like coal and timber. Trucking is the leading freight transport option available to local businesses looking to ship light freight.
Read on to learn why many American freight transportation companies and their customers prefer to hit the road.
What Exactly Is Trucking Freight Transport
Trucking freight transport is also known as road freight, road transport, or road haulage. These terms all refer to the transportation of goods from a shipping port or airport using roadway networks.
Today, freight transportation by truck is often the only option available to companies looking to move cargo around the country. Familiarizing yourself with the various offerings ensures you get the most advantages of freight transport.
Understanding LTL and FTL
At the top level, there are two different types of freight transport using trucks.
The first is LTL, which stands for Less Than Truckload. In this instance, numerous companies share the space in a truck with others.
This cuts down costs, making it an ideal option for small to medium-sized businesses with small cargo loads. The downside is that LTL can take more time since there are more stops, and the load may need to be repacked.
The second is FTL, which stands for Full Truck Load.
In this case, you have enough cargo to require an entire truck (or multiple trucks). You could also have fragile, high-value, or ADR goods that require dedicated or secure transportation. For these reasons, FTL is typically more expensive than LTL, though delivery is usually faster.
Types of Freight Transport
Once you know whether you require LTL or FTL transportation, you can break road freighting down further. Which you choose is related to numerous factors—your budget, delivery distance, type of goods, palletized or non-palletized, and more.
Some standard trucking options include:
- Temperature-controlled transport
- ADR (chemicals and dangerous goods) transport
- Oversized and bulk goods transport
- Express services
- Industrial waste transport
- Road-and-rail or road-and-sea transport
- Flatbed, curtain-sided, or box truck transport
Since the future of freight transportation overland will be dominated by trucks for the foreseeable future, it’s essential to familiarise yourself with this option.
Why Freight Transport By Truck Is a Smart Solution
There are many benefits to companies using freight transportation hauled by trucks. You can get your cargo to almost every part of the United States.
Generally, road-based freight transport is fast, flexible, and cost-effective. And if you work with a professional logistics company, you’re covered by insurance, warranties, and their expertise if anything goes wrong.
Speak with the experts at GENEX today. As a complete logistics solution provider, we’ll work with you to determine the best way to get your products from point A to point B.