Heavy Equipment Transport | Carrier Lanes Definition

Common References

A carrier lane can also be referred to as a freight lane, shipping lane, or trucking lane. In each case, the lane refers to the route routinely served by the carrier. Establishing lanes to operate eliminates waste for LTL carriers, large retail trucking operators, and independent operators. Operating in a carrier lane is much more cost-effective in contrast to attempting to serve everyone everywhere with the same fleet of vehicles.

Independent Operators Lanes

Independent operators are also referred to as independent truckers. They carry partial truckload and full truckload loads within their fixed lanes. Setting up lanes allows these independent operators to promote themselves better, given that they are always carrying cargo in their lane.

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Regional LTL Carrier Lanes

Most carrier lanes operate nationally. There are, however, a few LTL carriers that serve a specific region of the country where they have set up lanes. One of the key benefits of working with a freight broker is that they operate with regional and national carriers. There are cases when you can save money by hiring a regional carrier's services that are operating its lane effectively.

National LTL Carriers

National LTL carries to set up freight lanes that work within given regions and long haul carrier lanes that transcend those regions and transport freight a great distance. A shipment may begin with the carrier's regional lane and be shifted to a hub. It is at this point that a long-haul truck picks it to transport it across the country.

What Factors Determine the Development of Lane Price?

In developing their lane pricing, carriers take into account various factors. These include:

Current Freight Volume

The logistics industry operates similarly to other industries because it is subject to supply and demand laws. Cargo usually costs more to transport when everyone is searching for space on trucks. When that demand reduces, carrier lane pricing usually decreases with waning demand. At the moment, carrier lane rates are minimal owing to the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic.

Fuel Costs

As the price of fuel increases, carriers are usually forced to increase their lane rates. As fuel cost decreases, the benefits are passed down to the shipper through a fuel cost component that carriers incorporate into their pricing schemes. These fluctuations can directly affect carrier lane pricing.