How Far Will You Go?

How Far Will You Go?

Deciding how far to deadhead for the next load is never an easy choice. Recently, we delivered to an area that left us with little exit strategies. Once the delivery was complete, we debated which direction we should go next? I wanted to head one way, while my husband preferred another route. After talking it over, we decided to go the direction he suggested because it also gave us an opportunity to take care of a maintenance concern.

Once the repair was made we continued toward the area I originally wanted to go. At the time, it seemed like the best of both worlds. We handled needed maintenance while also positioning ourselves in an area where I believed freight would be moving.

The next day, however, we received a call for a load that was nearly 600 miles away. Unfortunately, the customer needed the truck that same day, and there was simply no way we could get there before they closed. That was frustrating because had we stayed where my husband originally wanted, we would have been in a much better position to accept the load and meet the customer's schedule.

I was confident there would be freight in the area I preferred because we had seen good opportunities there before. However, freight markets are unpredictable and loads are not always where we expect them to be. The experience reminded me that flexibility is critical in this industry. Sometimes we become too focused on one location or one strategy instead of keeping our options open and adapting to changing conditions.

That brings me back to the original question: how far are you willing to deadhead to secure the next load? Every driver seems to have a different answer. Some are willing to travel hundreds of miles for the right opportunity, while others prefer to stay within a much smaller radius. My husband and I often joke that we are trying to join the "million-mile deadhead club." Humor aside, the numbers still have to make financial sense.

Another important question is knowing when to stop chasing freight and simply head home. We have made that decision a few times as well. When considering it, we look at every expense involved. How much are we spending to run the generator? Are parking fees adding up? Are we eating out more often simply because we are bored and sitting instead of working? Would our time be better spent at home catching up on projects that need attention?

There are countless factors to consider in this business, and every decision can impact profitability. Sometimes the lessons learned from a missed opportunity end up being the most valuable ones.

Here's to millions of safe and profitable miles.

Kelly Plumb