What should i ask for these loads

What you need to ask for specifically depends on your costs to do business including all truck expenses, a living wage for yourself, and taxes on those wages. Do you know your cost per mile to run your business? This is the most important number that you need to be aware of, as every other number depends on it.

After you figure what that number is, take into consideration what you can get out of those destinations. For example;

Going to Spokane or Portland likely means heading to Seattle for a low rate load or out in the sticks for a low rate lumber load.

Going to Atlanta can be ok but, you could be competing for freight with a lot of people coming up from Florida, depending on which way produce is running.

 

If they are not providing back hauls I would bid the loads as deadheaded return trips.

I say this as obtaining back hauls is not a sure thing and can be disruptive to the primary schedule. Back hauls will likely not pay well and you will have do all the ground work to schedule and take the risk.

You are covered if you bid the loads with return as deadhead miles at your BE number. That way your expenses are covered and you can grab low hanging fruit for some gravy on the return if you wish and time permitting.

 

i'd go with $1.75 - $2.25 per mile depending on where you go, distance and if there is anything coming back from that area

 

If your dealing directly with the Shipper and they want you right back for the next load and all the loads are the same just to different consignee's i would charge a loaded rate out ( you insert del location ) of 2.75 plus accessorial and fsc and deadhead back i would charge your cost per mile to break even ( including paying yourself ) plus 10% for profit. and i would actually deadhead back and not be hassled with trying to get a backhaul.

 

miles X $2.00 + fsc and with 44.000 lb's it better be a GOOD fsc remember hills suck fuel.

 

But by time you deal with the loads coming back how will that affect your next load out. When you sign with a shipper you have to be there when the load is ready most will have a clause that costs you money if your not there to p/u when your contracted too. So if you are dealing with back hauls a number of things can happen to delay you not to mention your then waiting for a broker to pay you.

 

You are going to get a hundred different answers here. The main thing I will tell you is know your cost per mile and bid accordingly. You are going to have a hard time getting a shipper to pay you both ways. That is just not good business for them.

Look at the freight availability coming out of those areas. Areas with less freight demand a higher rate going in.
The only two places you listed I would go for under $3/mile are Memphis and Atlanta. I pull a flat and rates and freight availability are a little different.