Question on freight lanes in and out of Florida

FL is an uphill battle and the area you are referring to, Ft. Myers may be one of the worst parts of the state. After a year of trying to make FL work in the business plan I eventually just gave up. Changed out the business plan to no FL except for twice and it was a direct customer both times willing to pay what was fair.

In your shoes I would seriously consider finding a place to park the truck in GA and getting an 87 Honda CRX to go back and forth with or as mentioned find out what direct flights are coming out of nearby airports and park it in one of those cities you can fly directly to. I wish the best for you but this an uphill battle you have on your hands.

 

I live near Daytona Beach and usually have to dead head to Jacksonville or Savannah for descent paying freight. Freight rates have decreased in Florida in the past two months and we are seeing $1.20 out of South and Central Florida becoming the norm.

If you are moving to Fort Myers, you will probably have to head up to Tampa or Orlando. I am talking flat bed freight, sorry for not mentioning that at the beginning. But my best paying freight comes out of Jacksonville, although I can get something out of Davenport at Richie Brothers Auctions once in a great while.

 

Ft Myers is probably the worst place in FL to live. I've owned reefers, vans, flats and steps and they all suck in FL. Vans suck the most though. I've known a lot of people that were leased to New Line and left. There's very little money there. Just like running the ports.
When i pulled dry van, after nursery and watermelon season, I used to fly Baltimore to Orlando nonstop on AirTran for 300ish including truck parking and taxis, if I didn't upgrade to business for $25-50. I don't know what flights run these days, but I doubt it's much more.
If you want to be successful in FL, you have to find a niche based on service. At least that has been my experience.

 

currently a Fl only driver, hooked up with a company based out of Jax. and doing great. / it's flatbed utopia.

 

So who is this company you're leased to bigray? You can pm me if you don't want to spread it around too much.

 

Never been to FL under my own authority. I have a reefer. And I've gotten lots of offers of loads going into FL, but they never pay great. And I'm getting calls about loads coming out, but won't go unless I'm guaranteed to make it out with something worth while. So far, running the northeast, and the occasional run out to TX or AZ is about the end of it for me.

 

You have to be a team to get on in Orlando at FedEx. It will take a while to cultivate profitable relationships coming out of FL.

 

If you are set on living in FL read threads here on Sunco out of Lakeland, FL.