At Covenant, we understand that the journey of goods from point A to point B is a critical component of your supply chain. This process, known as line haul transportation, is a cost-effective, flexible solution that brings numerous benefits to your business.

What is Line Haul Transportation?

Line haul transportation involves moving goods over long distances, whether between cities, states, or even countries. This can be done using various modes of transport, including road, rail lines, air, and waterways. In the world of trucking, line-haul often refers to shorter routes than long-haul.

Line haul caters to high-volume loads ranging from packages to palletized freight and covers a vast spectrum of goods, from raw materials to consumer products. This process leverages an extensive network of warehouses, transportation hubs, trucks and trailers, drivers, dockworkers, andmore.

Goods are often consolidated and sorted in distribution facilities before being dispatched to their final destinations. The goal of line haul transportation is to ensure fast and efficient deliveries. As a leading 3PL within the U.S., Covenant helps businesses engineer value-driven solutions that increase speed to market and lower warehousing costs.

What is a Line Haul Carrier?

Covenant is a line haul carrier, and line haul carriers are instrumental in managing Full Truck Load (FTL) and Less Than Truck Load (LTL) transportation between cities and states. These carriers or 3PLs have established line haul networks and experience in transporting various types of loads, including sensitive goods, hazardous materials, and packages.

These carriers adhere to state regulations and provide safe working conditions for their drivers, while optimizing transit to reduce CO2 emissions for sustainable transportation services. In essence, line haul carriers offer superior service at competitive rates.

The Importance of Line Haul Carrier Tracking

Linehaul carrier tracking is a game-changer in optimizing logistics processes. Advanced tracking applications provide real-time visibility to all involved parties-carriers, 3PLs, and shippers.

Through line haul tracking, carriers can access accurate analytics that monitor compliance, service quality, potential drawbacks, and more. They can track pick-up and delivery times and utilize data to evaluate and improve processes, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction.

Impact of Line Haul Carriers on Key Areas

Line haul carriers significantly influence the overall shipping process. Expert 3PLs like Covenant can manage variables, adapt to load fluctuations, and analyze every step of the procedure to offer cost-effective solutions. Here are some key areas where line haul carriers make a difference:

1. Cost of Transportation: By tracking and analyzing data from every operation, line haul carriers can provide the most cost-effective solutions.
2. Delivery Duration and Route Optimization: Line haul carriers ensure fast and efficient deliveries. Through route optimization and intelligent logistics management solutions, they streamline the shipment of goods to and from depots and sorting facilities, optimizing consolidation, sorting, and deliveries.
3. Freight Movement: To facilitate efficient movement of goods, line haul carriers select the optimal mode of transportation for each operation. In trucking, they improve fleet management and deploy smart capacity optimization solutions that streamline deliveries and reduce transportation expenses.

Line Haul vs. Long Haul Trucking

Line haul trucking involves a fixed route between cities, providing a predictable and consistent schedule for drivers. For many line haul drivers, their job mirrors a traditional 'nine-to-five' schedule, allowing them to return home at the end of their shift. Conversely, long-haul trucking refers to the transportation of goods over vast distances.

The Advantages of Line Haul Trucking for Businesses

Line haul trucking, a rapidly growing sector expected to expand by 6.1% globally until 2027, offers several key benefits for businesses:

1. Faster Deliveries: Line haul trucks deliver goods faster than other modes of transport like railroads, which often follow more complex routes. The expansive line haul network in the U.S.offers a wide array of options. Carriers continuously track and improve logistics activity to ensure speed, promptness, service quality, and driver safety. Real-time data from route optimization software helps drivers navigate around traffic jams, road blockages, and adverse weather conditions, ensuring that businesses receive their products promptly and in excellent condition.
2. Cost-Efficient Transportation: Advanced tracking and data analysis reduce fuel costs, waiting times, and other costs associated with inefficient planning. With line haul trucks following a set route and picking up shipments from various businesses, organizations can leverage reduced warehousing charges and avoid extra driver expenses.
3. Enhanced Delivery Experience: A prompt delivery schedule is essential for freight transportation. Line haul trucking guarantees that goods are delivered at a pre-determined time, ensuring your business is ready to receive them. Thanks to fewer delays and well-rested drivers, line haul trucking enhances the customer experience and optimizes daily routes.

Optimizing Line Haul Services with Covenant

With over 35 years of industry experience, Covenant offers an expansive range of logistics services. Regardless of your transportation needs, we design bespoke, seamless logistics solutions for every client.

For us, optimizing line haul services means strategically planning every operation based on cloud-based reporting visibility, best-in-class logistics practices, and exceptional customer service. Contact Covenant today to get a quote and discover how we can streamline your supply chain operations.