While line haul, last-mile, and LTL (Less Than Truckload) shipping are all key components of the ecommerce supply chain, they each serve a distinct purpose: 

• Line haul focuses on the bulk movement of goods between major hubs, such as from a manufacturer’s warehouse to a retailer’s distribution center. It’s all about efficiency and cost-effectiveness over long distances. 
• Last-mile shipping is all about getting products from those distribution centers into the hands of end customers. This final leg of the journey is often the most complex and costly, as it involves navigating local roads and dealing with individual deliveries. 
• LTL shipping is a bit of a hybrid between line haul and last-mile. Like line haul, it involves consolidating multiple shipments into a single truckload; unlike line haul, LTL shipments often involve multiple stops and smaller quantities of goods. 

While each method has its strengths, the real magic happens when they work together seamlessly. By optimizing line haul routes and schedules, ecommerce businesses can create a more efficient and cost-effective foundation for their last-mile and LTL operations. It’s all about finding the right balance and leveraging the strengths of each approach. 

Consolidating shipments through line haul reduces per-unit shipping costs, while scheduled routes eliminate the need for premium fees associated with expedited or last-minute shipping.  

Moreover, predictable schedules allow for better inventory planning and reduced safety stock, as brands can anticipate when goods will arrive at each node in their network. These savings can be passed on to customers through competitive pricing or reinvested into the business to improve profit margins. 

Strategic line haul routes connect multiple fulfillment centers, creating a distributed inventory network that reduces the distance to end customers. By placing products closer to key markets, brands can significantly improve transit times and meet the growing demand for fast delivery. 

Wholesome Goods, a health and wellness brand, saw a dramatic improvement in delivery speed after implementing a multi-node fulfillment strategy with ShipBob: 

“When we were shipping orders from our warehouse, orders were delivered in 5 to 6 days. With ShipBob, we’re averaging around 3 days. The fact that ShipBob works with so many different carriers to ensure customers are getting their orders quickly is a great benefit for us.”

Cesar Contreras, Head of Supply Chain of Wholesome Goods 

Dedicated routes and schedules create consistency in transit times, enabling more accurate delivery promises to customers. This reliability is further enhanced by the efficiencies of bulk transport, which reduces handling and potential damage to products en route. 

Consistent delivery timelines also help with staffing and resource planning at destination facilities, as managers can anticipate when shipments will arrive and allocate labor accordingly. 

Line haul shipping can utilize various modes of transportation, including truck, rail, air, and sea, based on specific needs and requirements. Intermodal solutions, which combine two or more modes, can maximize efficiency for different product types and shipping scenarios. For example, a brand may choose to use truck line haul for domestic shipments, while opting for sea freight when importing goods from overseas.  

Seasonal demand fluctuations might also influence mode selection, with air freight becoming more viable during peak periods. By working with a supply chain enablement partner like ShipBob, brands gain access to multiple transportation options and the expertise to choose the most appropriate mode for each situation. 

Efficient line haul operations are directly tied to meeting customer expectations for fast delivery and can serve as the foundation for offering competitive 2-day shipping. 

Earthley, a natural health products brand, experienced firsthand the impact of improved delivery speed on customer satisfaction and sales. After partnering with ShipBob, the company cut lead times by 4 days and doubled its monthly order volume within just six months. 

“ShipBob’s WMS has more than doubled, if not tripled, our productivity in terms of labor hours. Our average days to ship is now only 0.8 days, so most packages are shipping same-day or next-day, with rare exceptions. We’ve cut 4 days of lead time because orders are getting processed, fulfilled, and shipped more efficiently. When we first started with ShipBob, we were doing about 15K orders per month, and now we’re processing 30K — double what we were doing just six months ago.”

Ben Tietje, Co-Founder and CEO of Earthley  

Consistent delivery experiences also build brand trust and reduce customer service issues, leading to positive reviews and repeat purchases. By leveraging line haul shipping as part of a comprehensive fulfillment strategy, brands can create a virtuous cycle of growth and customer loyalty. 

Line haul plays a crucial role in the ecommerce supply chain, serving as the vital link between warehouses, fulfillment centers, and distribution points. It’s the glue that holds the entire logistics network together, ensuring that products move efficiently from one node to the next. 

In a typical ecommerce scenario, line haul carriers pick up bulk shipments from a supplier or manufacturer and transport them to a fulfillment center. From there, the products are stored until an order is placed, at which point they are picked, packed, and shipped to the end customer, often via last-mile delivery. 

This seamless integration of line haul with other supply chain components creates the foundation for reliable delivery promises. When line haul operations are optimized, brands can confidently offer fast shipping options, knowing that their inventory will arrive at fulfillment centers on time and in good condition. 

Efficient line haul also directly impacts inventory availability and customer satisfaction. By reducing transit times and minimizing the risk of delays or damage, brands can maintain adequate stock levels and avoid backorders or stockouts. This, in turn, leads to a better customer experience, as shoppers can trust that the products they want will be available when they need them. 

To visualize how line haul fits into the bigger picture, consider the following supply chain flow: 

As you can see, line haul acts as the critical middle mile, connecting the dots between the initial supply and the final delivery. Without a well-oiled line haul operation, the entire supply chain would grind to a halt, leading to delays, dissatisfied customers, and lost sales. 

When tracking a line haul shipment, you may encounter various status updates that can be confusing or unclear. Here’s a quick guide to some of the most common statuses and what they mean: 

• “Arrived at line haul office”: This status indicates that your shipment has reached the carrier’s terminal and is being processed for outbound transport. Packages typically remain in this status for 1-2 days, depending on the carrier’s schedule and workload. 
• “Failed to hand over”: If you see this status, it means that there was an issue transferring your shipment from one carrier to another. This could be due to missing paperwork (such as a shipping manifest), incorrect labeling, or a missed pickup. The carrier will usually attempt to resolve the issue and update the status accordingly. 
• “Handed over to line haul”: This status means that your shipment has been successfully transferred to the line haul carrier and is now in transit to its next destination. Transit times vary depending on distance and mode, but most line haul shipments arrive within 2-5 days. 

Other common statuses you might see include “In transit,” “Out for delivery,” and “Delivered.” Each of these indicates a specific stage in the shipping process and helps you track the physical movement of your goods. 

If a package remains in a particular status for an unusually long time, it may be cause for concern. In these cases, it’s best to reach out to the carrier or your logistics provider for more information and assistance. 

Line haul pricing can be complex, with various factors influencing the final cost of shipping. Some of the most common pricing variables include: 

• Distance: The farther your shipment needs to travel, the more expensive it will be. Many carriers use zone-based pricing, where rates are determined by the distance between the origin and destination zip codes. 
• Weight: Heavier shipments generally cost more to transport, as they require more fuel and labor to move. Most carriers use a combination of actual weight and dimensional weight (a calculation based on the size of the package) to determine the billable weight for each shipment. 
• Dimensions: Larger packages take up more space on a truck, which can impact the carrier’s ability to optimize their loads. As a result, many carriers apply dimensional weight pricing, which takes into account both the size and weight of a package. 
• Fuel surcharges: Line haul carriers often add a fuel surcharge to their rates to account for fluctuations in the cost of diesel. These surcharges can vary based on market conditions and are typically adjusted on a weekly or monthly basis. 

To get the best rates on line haul shipping, consider the following strategies: 

• Negotiate with carriers: If you have a high volume of shipments, you may be able to negotiate better rates with your carrier. Be sure to shop around and compare prices from multiple providers to ensure you’re getting the best deal. 
• Consolidate shipments: Whenever possible, consolidate multiple shipments into a single truckload. This can help you qualify for volume discounts and reduce your overall shipping costs. 
• Optimize packaging: Use appropriately sized boxes and packaging materials to minimize dimensional weight charges. Avoid using oversized or irregularly shaped packages, as these can be more expensive to ship. 
• Plan ahead: Shipping during peak seasons can be more expensive due to increased demand and capacity constraints. If possible, plan your shipments in advance and avoid shipping during busy times like the holidays. 
• Evaluate accessorial charges: In addition to base rates, carriers often charge for additional services like inside delivery, liftgate service, or residential delivery. Be sure to factor these charges into your total shipping costs and look for ways to minimize them where possible. 

By understanding how line haul pricing works and implementing these cost-saving strategies, you can keep your shipping expenses under control and improve your bottom line. 

Even the most well-planned line haul operation can encounter delays and disruptions from time to time. Some of the most common causes of line haul bottlenecks include: 

• Weather events: Inclement weather, such as snowstorms, hurricanes, or flooding, can impact road conditions and cause delays in transit. 
• Capacity constraints: During peak shipping seasons, carriers may struggle to keep up with demand, leading to longer transit times and potential delays. 
• Equipment failures: Mechanical issues with trucks or other equipment can cause unexpected delays and disrupt the flow of goods through the supply chain. 
• Labor shortages: A lack of qualified drivers or warehouse workers can impact a carrier’s ability to move shipments efficiently and on time. 

While some of these factors are beyond your control, there are steps you can take to mitigate the risk of delays and keep your shipments moving smoothly: 

• Plan ahead: Build extra lead time into your shipping schedule to account for potential delays. This is especially important during peak seasons or when shipping to areas prone to weather disruptions. 
• Communicate with your carrier: Maintain open lines of communication with your line haul carrier and logistics provider. Notify them of any special requirements or time-sensitive shipments in advance, and work together to develop contingency plans for potential disruptions. 
• Leverage technology: Use real-time tracking and visibility tools to monitor your shipments and identify potential issues before they become major problems. This can help you proactively address delays and keep your customers informed of any changes to their expected delivery dates. 
• Diversify your carrier network: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Work with multiple carriers and logistics providers to ensure that you have backup options in case of capacity constraints or other issues. 
• Focus on prevention: Implement quality control measures and best practices throughout your supply chain to minimize the risk of delays. This might include proper packaging and labeling of shipments, regular equipment maintenance, and ongoing training for your logistics team. 

By taking a proactive approach to line haul management and focusing on prevention rather than reaction, you can minimize the impact of delays and disruptions on your business. This, in turn, can help you build a more resilient and efficient supply chain that delivers a competitive advantage in the marketplace. 

Many brands are turning to strategic line haul operations as the foundation of their 2-day delivery strategy. By leveraging a network of strategically located fulfillment centers and optimizing their line haul routes, these brands are able to offer fast, affordable shipping to a wide range of customers. 

One of the key benefits of this approach is that it allows brands to distribute their inventory closer to their end customers. By storing products in multiple fulfillment centers across the country, brands can reduce the distance that packages need to travel to reach their final destination. This, in turn, reduces transit times and makes it easier to meet 2-day delivery promises. 

For example, a brand with a single fulfillment center on the West Coast might struggle to offer 2-day shipping to customers on the East Coast, as packages would need to travel across multiple shipping zones. However, by distributing their inventory to fulfillment centers in strategic locations like the Midwest and the East Coast, that same brand could offer 2-day shipping to a much larger portion of their customer base. 

Of course, implementing a multi-node fulfillment strategy like this requires careful planning and execution. Brands need to have a deep understanding of their customer demographics and shipping patterns in order to determine the optimal locations for their fulfillment centers. They also need to work closely with their line haul carriers and logistics providers to ensure that their shipping routes are optimized for speed and efficiency. 

Strategic line haul operations can be a powerful tool for brands looking to compete with the likes of Amazon and other ecommerce giants. By optimizing their shipping routes and distributing their inventory closer to their customers, brands can offer the fast, affordable shipping that consumers have come to expect, without breaking the bank.