flatbed rates out of KY going East????

I'm a broker with some lumber and steel loads out of the south with loads moving north and west. I just convinced a shipper to double the rate to move a load and they took it Good time to be a owner operator.
but seriously I'm moving lumber loads out of AL to KY for $3.24 per mile now but I negotiate freight rates higher all the time, $4+ is not unheard of, rates are starting $3.24 per mile if that helps you. Hell I just moved one with no tarp for $3.80 and the guy took more time strapping the load down then it took him to get loaded.