Where Are the Loads That Make the Most Money?
This is a question we hear quite often from companies either thinking about getting into the industry or just starting off. I’ll try to answer this to the best of my ability, but let me be clear from the start: This isn’t a get-rich-quick business. The companies I’ve seen succeed have either inherited a family business or have spent decades building their operations from the ground up.
Trucking is a lot like farming—you'll have several rough years followed by one good year, and that good year is often what pulls you through the tough ones. When I first entered the trucking industry during the 2007-08 recession, I heard countless trucking companies say they were going out of business—and some did. But many weathered the storm and were back in the game the next year. I’ll admit, I was nervous back then, even telling the company I worked for that we weren’t going to have any trucks left in the market. Thankfully, we made it through.
Another story that comes to mind is about a guy who started his own trucking company about 6-7 years ago but had to close up shop this year. From the beginning, I was curious—not doubting him, but wondering what his competitive advantage was going to be. Unfortunately, like many others, he scaled up too quickly, buying a large fleet at peak equipment costs, only to be hit by lower freight rates. That combination can be lethal to a new business.
So, back to the question: where are the loads that pay the most money?
In my opinion, the loads that pay the most money can be found everywhere. However, here are some key pieces of advice:
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Specialized Equipment: The more niche your bulk trailer is—whether it's a belt trailer, liquid tanker, or dry bulk tanker—the higher the freight rates tend to be. This comes down to simple supply and demand. These trailers are more expensive to purchase and are limited on reload opportunities, leading to more empty miles that need to be compensated for. That being said, the return on investment (ROI) is all relative. While a tanker rate may be higher than a hopper rate, the upfront costs and maintenance for a tanker are also much higher. So yes, rates may vary, but it all relates back to your overall costs of operation.
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Time-Sensitive Loads: Pet food and certain feed ingredients often have tighter shipping windows and specific appointment times. Because you're limited on the number of loads you can haul when stuck at a location or constrained by time, these loads often come with higher rates.
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Seasonal Peaks: Peak harvest seasons on various commodities can also boost rates. Companies moving grain or fertilizers during harvest or planting seasons often see a surge in demand that drives up prices.
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Dedicated Routes and Specialized Projects: Sometimes, pulling another company's trailer on a dedicated route can pay more than operating your own equipment. Many companies do this during specific times of the year and make more money. For instance, hauling a tanker for an asphalt or construction company during peak construction season or moving fertilizer or propane for co-ops or elevators during their busy seasons can be very profitable.
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Thinking Outside the Box: Don’t limit yourself to just driving your own truck and pulling your own trailer. Look for opportunities to pull trailers for other companies, particularly during peak seasons or special projects. Sometimes, the most profitable loads are the ones you wouldn't have considered before.
I hope this gives some perspective on where to find the best-paying loads. As always, I welcome feedback to make these processes better for everyone, especially our members. Remember, success in this business isn’t about quick wins—it’s about persistence, smart decisions, and staying the course through both the good and bad years.