Whether you’re an expedite owner-operator or fleet owner, your goals are similar when it comes to acquiring a new truck or van: Purchase a vehicle that can help you run your business more efficiently and cost-effectively--with maximum safety for the driver. So, what’s new in the expediter truck and van market in 2018 that impact how you achieve these goals? Here are three developments to keep your eye on. #1. Rearview cameras becoming standard in vans.In 2014, the U.S. D...

As we enter the new year, this is the time many of us spend reflecting on the past 12 months, thinking about lessons learned, things we can improve, and new goals we’d like to accomplish moving forward. But when it comes to goal-setting, there’s not a one-size-fits-all way of doing it--especially in the expedited trucking business. At least, that’s what I have learned by speaking with veteran expediters Linda and Bob Caffee, Heather and Jason Hutchens, and Greg Huggins...

If you have an expedited trucker on your holiday shopping list but don’t know what type of gifts they would love and actually use, you’ve come to the right place. At ExpeditersOnline.com, we’ve done a lot of the research for you. And we’ve found six gift ideas that your loved ones or friends in the trucking industry will really appreciate. 1. Instant Pot Pressure Cooker (6 Quart)One of the biggest challenges for expediters is to develop and maintain healthy eating ha...

A key to success in expedited trucking is learning which type of loads to accept--and which ones to pass on. A “good” load will pay you well and put you in position to get your next job with minimal wait times or deadhead miles, whereas “bad” freight can tie up your time and cost you more money than you earn. But if you’re new to this business, it could take several weeks or months of trial and error before you learn the ropes and figure out what defines a “good�...

If you’re operating as a team, you’ll spend the bulk of your sleep time while the truck is moving, and this can create challenges with getting the sleep you need to avoid fatigue and burnout that could put your (and your partner’s) safety at risk. So, what can you do to improve your quality of sleep in a moving truck? Here are nine tips. 1. Make your mattress as comfortable as possible“Having a good mattress and pillow helps a lot,” says Heather Hutchens, an expedi...

Meet Petra Webb. Originally from the Netherlands, Petra moved to the States in 2001 after marrying her husband Jason, a U.S. Army veteran. Before joining Jason as an over-the-road driver in 2005, she worked as a front office manager at a hotel in Orlando, Fla. And 10 years later, in 2015, the couple made the transition to expedited trucking. Today, Petra and Jason drive a tractor-trailer for MSR Transport Services, an Ohio-based expedited trucking firm founded by Army and Nav...

One aspect of expedited trucking is that you’ll often have a day or two (or more) of downtime before you get your next load. So, if you’re having to layover anyway, what are some of the best spots to wait in between loads? EO recently caught up with veteran expediters Sandi Putz, Sandy Goche and Stephen Halsted, Irene Riley, and Greg Huggins to get their recommendations on their favorite layover cities--and why. Sandi Putz, Owner-OperatorHollister, CaliforniaWhy? “We di...

Perhaps you’ve been an over-the-road (OTR) driver for a few years now, and you’re curious about whether expedited trucking could give you the career growth opportunity you’ve been looking for. Or, maybe you’re new to trucking altogether and trying to decide which segment of the business is best for you. But as you think through your options, you may be wondering: What exactly makes the expedited trucking different from OTR? And what should you expect from the expedit...

In recent weeks, with the devastating aftermaths of Hurricanes Harvey in Texas and Irma in Florida, the national average price for diesel has jumped from $2.52 before Harvey to $2.72 a few days after Irma, a span of about three weeks, according to AAA’s fuel price guide as of press time. This may only be a short-term spike in fuel prices, and it’s definitely a far cry from the over $4.00 per gallon for diesel about five years ago. Back then, veteran expedite owner-operat...

When it comes to running your own business as an expediter, even the smallest things can add up to big efficiencies and cost-savings. The challenge is being able to find those opportunities so that you can capitalize on them. And that’s where smartphone apps can help. So, here are four apps that can empower you to run your business more efficiently and effectively, while making your life easier when you’re away from home. Trucker PathCost: Free How can you eliminate unpr...