Expedited Trucking: When Time is Critical

Every day as people drive to work, take kids to school or run errands, they share the road with some other pretty important vehicles.  Trucks of various shapes and sizes carry cargo to and from countless destinations daily.  How quickly this precious freight must arrive at its end stop determines if the shipment is considered expedited. 

Trucking = Big Business

Thanks to the overwhelming surge in online shopping, customers expect and are able to get their purchased items in a timely manner.  Many times, this means in as little as two days, or even overnight.  Thus, expedited freight services are in high demand. 

With expedited trucking, goods are transported from their starting point to their destination as quickly as possible.  In contrast, Over-the-Road (OTR) or traditional trucking operates on a more relaxed schedule, often taking several days or weeks for final delivery.     

The trucking industry is one of the largest revenue producers in our nation’s economy.  Its workers account for 5.8% of the overall U.S. workforce.  Impressively, with 13.86 million single-unit and combination trucks registered and used for business purposes, this industry hauls roughly 72.6% of all goods within the United States. 

Essential Cargo

For businesses shipping goods that are considered time-sensitive, high-value or even fragile (needing a little extra TLC when handling), expedited shipping is a must.  Examples include perishable goods, parts needed for production, medical supplies or medication. 

“Rush order” goods such as these must arrive on time or disastrous outcomes could prevail.  A factory could face a shut down due to a lack of parts.  A medical sample may become tainted due to extended time in transit.  It’s even possible that a Broadway performance is forced to cancel because costumes or props didn’t arrive on time.

Expedited Trucking Vehicles

Depending on its size and weight, cargo travels primarily in one of the following types of vehicles:

Cargo van – a typical, smaller van, with a weight capacity of 2,000 lbs.

Sprinter van – able to carry between one and three standard-sized pallets; up to 3,000 pounds of total cargo.

Straight truck – also referred to as a “box truck”, it is used for freight that is too big, too oddly shaped, or too heavy for a sprinter van.  Box trucks are also used for smaller freight loads, where an entire trailer is not needed.  These types of loads are called less than truckload (LTL).  When shipping LTL, one box truck can carry cargo for more than one customer at a time.   

Depending on the length of the straight truck (typically 22, 24 or 26 feet), its maximum weight capacity is between 10,000 and 26,000 lbs.

Tractor-trailer – commonly known as a semi-truck, this shipping vehicle is used for transporting longer pieces or full truckloads.  Full truckload (FTL) refers to shipments whereas the entire capacity of the trailer is dedicated to a single shipment.

The amount of weight a semi-truck can carry is regulated by the federal government.  According to their guidelines, semi-trucks and their loaded trailer together can weigh no more than 80,000 pounds.  While tractor-trailers vary in weight individually, in general, they can haul between 42,000 and 48,000 pounds. 

Trucking Solutions

If you have freight that needs to reach its destination the quickest way possible, let us help!  In addition to providing reliable air freight services, Grand Aire is experienced in finding and securing customized expedited trucking solutions, both locally and nationally.  Our Ground Expedite Specialists are accessible 24/7/365 and skillfully trained to assist with your trucking needs.  Simply give us a call at 1-800-70-GRAND or email our team at logistics@grandaire.com.