On short hauls what would be a good minimum rate. There is a local steel fabricator here in east texas that pays a minimum of $450 plus fuel surcharge. Is this an industry standard.

 

How many miles and where is it going

 

My personal minimum is $500.

 

The starting rate is 2.10/mi + fuel surcharge from 0-275 miles, then the rate drops when more miles are added to the trip. I am between Dallas and houston so both are about 150 miles so the minium would apply.

 

sound like a good rate is it. will you backhaul to their plant

 

I usually don't take a load for less than $700.

 

If your rate is $450 a day that won't cut it. 150 miles each day x 2= 300 a day. About $700 to $800 in fuel alone. 5 day week = $2250 - $750 in fuel = $1500. Take out everything else and you don't have much left. If you have a load coming back, that would change the story if you can get it done in one day.

 

The problem you run into on those short hauls is the time it takes to load and unload. If you pull a van around and can drop and hook or the shipper and receiver will get you in and out quickly, then you might come out with a little less money. But, if you pull a flat bed and need to tarp you will spend a lot of extra time tarping rather than moving the load. I count on losing the entire day when I haul a short run. It isn't usually the travel involved but the loading and unloading which takes up all the day.