Hot markets.

Usually it’s a one way deal. Chicago has a lot of loads going East. Good rates. Not many coming back, bad rates. Other lanes have more of an even ratio both ways. Average rates. Finding the best combination for overall average net, has always been my goal. You can just try to chase good rates, but best to know what to expect on next load. 3.00 one way, and 1.50 back, avg. 2.25 all miles. Etc. Sometimes a triangle ( 3 trips) works better, for instance. With the bad rate on the shortest trip back. Or a short day trip, with a high rate, before loading a longer trip, to pump up average. Or bouncing back on 2 trips instead of one. Whatever works best for you. Time, fuel, wear and tear on you and equipment, all plays a part. I’m certainly not an expert. Just doing the best I can. Always looking for a better net result.

 

Well said, R&R, that pretty much sums up the way I do it.

 

Im not saying it’s the best strategy, but personally I try to run areas I like. I also tend to stick with what I’m familiar with. This weeks a perfect example of why. I took a different Load to a different area. Rate was good. Snow storm came in and missed appointment. Lost a day, and now in a bad spot for a weekend run. I tend to stay with what’s consistent, instead of chasing the dollar. Seems to average out the same overall. Same reason I don’t pull a reefer. Not interested in following the seasonal markets. Right now, I should take a load to Minnesota, I know I’ll get a good load out of there. Would be the smart thing to do. But I don’t want to go to Minnesota. So I won’t. But it’s my choice. Other tempting Loads are Arizona and Florida. Mainly for the weather. Not taking those because I’ll probably take a loss getting out of either. Still looking, I’ll probably find something better tomorrow. If not an average load to keep the Truck moving will be available. I’ll take my chances, and wait till the last minute. Need to focus on where I’ll be Monday. Bottom line is might as well do what makes myself happy, and not stress about any of it. Plans change, can’t avoid it. Just have to go with it. I mostly play it by ear. No real strategy. No sense in counting on anything, since is always changing. Being able to change plans seems more important to me. Not letting things out of my control get me upset.