Truck Load Rates Halt 8 Week Slide 2.0

I went to Warren Dunes in Michigan over the weekend and badly sun - burnt my skin. It still hurts so bad. The water was warm as soup and crystal clear. I dig the open water and the open water digs me. I may not be a good wave surfer but I am a hell of a swimmer. I can swim when the water is cold or against the current, perhaps then slower but toward desired direction nonetheless. Despite the disaprobate of many viewers. But I call it being a powerful swimmer.
In my early 30s I was able to swim from Warren Dunes beach to Waco beach (2.5 land miles) and then back. Along the shore. I gotto test myself and do it again. Ha... one day I did swim to far from the shore and someone got worried and called cops. LOL. The metaphorical point is...I know exactly what I am doing.

I took a load from Elgin, IL to Des Moines, IA for $1250 and from there to York, PA for $2750. I am. I think I saw Coyote or Schneider "book it now" from there for $850 to take me home. Also I may just deadhead to OH and get the same rate to WI for Monday delivery, it would work even better for a reload that day.

Either way is good because it would allow me to go the Michigan beach again and re burn my skin again.

 

Last year, XPO had regular loads from Alexandria MN to York PA in the range of $2600 $2900. So I was taking those quite regularly. That was preceded by going to MN or Fargo ND. That leg to be between $800 - 1100.
With the Covid 19 those loads stopped. Causing me to run like a heedless chicken for a while.
I am hoping to recreate a comfort zone set of runs similar to that one. Maybe Chicago - IA/NE - PA/VA/MD - IL/East WI ?
There is always the Achilles' heel of cheap return loads. They need to be booked though to satisfy weekly revenue.
That's what I want to do - regular runs with a stable rate consistancy. This year I should pay off my trailer. Once it is done, I will get a reefer with which, I believe I could secure such consistency. Those food supply chains seem to be less random.
On seasonal occasions, I won't hesitate to travel to Weat coast to load with produce or Nogalez, AZ in Winter.
Ultimately, I do want to say goodbye to the spot market - hustling and haggling. Maybe except for the already mentioned seasonal wave riding.

 

I booked a load from York, Pa to Oswego, Il
for $1000.
I tried to haggle $150 more but it was only effective for $35 more from their offer.

The whole loop Mon - Saturday (empty)
will bring revenue of exactly $5000 and 2200 miles covered. After fuel and unavoidable tolls I should be left with $4100 - 4200.
So these weeks can be thought of as good
but they are not going to last. If I have to run these miles for $3500 in months to come, I will

That's my week. A good week.

 

Are you booking day of or in advance? If in advance, how far?

 

Load to IA was secured on Friday.
Load to PA today in the morning, also the return load - 50 hours before the pick up.
I did not care too much about the rate on the last one because when you wait until the last minute you may not find anything at all to take you back home. So if I see anything more than 800 I consider it, if it takes me home the next day.
But don't look at me as an example, for many 5k gross per week is bare bones. As a matter of fact it is rare for me. Better ask them how they book their loads. I am sure they will help.

 

I am right there with you. Was just curious how you are booking in the current market. Appreciate the insight!

 

Depends on where I am. If I'm home getting out I try to wait til mid day or early afternoon to balance getting the best rate with still having some time to cover a few hundred miles.

When I'm away from home I usually book a day ahead. A lot of times I wait until day of and of course last minute can make you more money. Don't waste your time booking more than a day out. You'll feel more comfortable but you'll starve.....and then when one cancels your whole week goes to ####.

 

Time to file 2290 again

 

Express truck tax is $9.99 I received the stamped copy 1 minute after hitting send. I’m not sure how it went through that fast.