An article in Fleet Owner caught my eye this week: “New Report Identifies Major Highway Choke Points and Their Costs.” I downloaded the report from the American Highway Users Association, which had a catchy subtitle of “America’s 50 Worst Bottlenecks.” I flipped to the chapter about big trucks. Let’s be honest. When a semi is stuck in traffic, it’s going to cost some real money. If it’s just me and my station wagon? Not so much.
Fort Lee, NJ and Louisville, KY are in the “top 10” for the worst traffic jams in the entire U.S., according to a recent study. Getting out of New Jersey is always difficult – especially when you’re right near the major bridge into Manhattan – and there aren’t a lot of loads. When you do find a load, the rates are low – last week, only $1.17/mile to Louisville. Plus, there is almost no way to get back to Louisville without some deadhead. If you can get back and forth between Louisville and Fort Lee in three days, just go for it. If your trip spills over into a fourth day, look for a TriHaul opportunity. We found this one, with less than 20 miles driving empty to Newark. Pick up a load there to Richmond, VA. Rates are much better on that lane. Rates aren’t great out of Richmond, but the traffic is not as bad, and you still end up with an additional $542 in your pocket for the roundtrip. TriHaul route suggestions are offered in DAT Express and DAT Power load boards, and rates are derived from DAT RateView.
