The Challenge
Derek ran reefer loads up and down the I-95 corridor but had no steady broker relationships. He had to check many load boards every hour. He often took loads out of desperation at rates well below market. His fuel surcharge was never figured right, which cost him thousands per year.
Grow Trucking's Solution
Grow Trucking built Derek a dedicated broker network with 4 vetted produce and pharmaceutical shippers on the NY-Miami lane. We set up a dynamic fuel surcharge formula tied to the DOE weekly diesel index. Our dispatchers also negotiated a standing rate deal with a Miami-based seafood exporter for weekly northbound loads.
Northeast Dispatch Strategy & Route Optimization
We improved the I-95 corridor with pre-cleared weigh station passes via PrePass. We also scheduled rest stops in line with ELD clock management. That won back 45 minutes of drive time per trip.
Northeast freight lanes covered
Results at a Glance
| Metric | Before Grow Trucking | With Grow Trucking |
|---|---|---|
| Broker Relationships | None (spot board) | 4 dedicated shippers |
| Average Rate | $1,850/trip | $2,500/trip |
| Fuel Surcharge Recovery | $0/year | $4,800/year |
| Weekly Hours Searching | 14 hours | 1 hour |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much can a reefer driver earn on the I-95 corridor with Grow Trucking?
- Results vary by season and freight type. But Derek raised his average trip rate from $1,850 to $2,500 on the NY-Miami lane. He did it by moving from spot board loads to dedicated pharmaceutical, produce, and seafood shippers. His weekly revenue rose by about $2,100.
- What is a fuel surcharge and how does it increase reefer driver income?
- A fuel surcharge is an extra fee tied to changing diesel prices. It is usually figured with the DOE weekly diesel index. Derek was not collecting fuel surcharges before Grow Trucking, which cost him thousands per year. We set up a dynamic surcharge formula that recovered $4,800 a year.
- Does Grow Trucking handle broker relationships for pharmaceutical and produce freight?
- Yes. Our dispatch team builds and manages dedicated broker networks. For Derek, we set up relationships with 4 vetted shippers who specialize in temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical and produce freight. That ended his need to spend 14 hours per week searching load boards.
- How does Grow Trucking optimize ELD clock management for reefer drivers on long hauls?
- We plan rest stops along the route to match ELD rules and add to available drive time. For Derek on the I-95 corridor, we also arranged PrePass weigh station clearance. That won back 45 minutes of drive time per trip.
Related Resources
More Driver Success Stories
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This is a real Grow Trucking client. The driver's name has been changed to protect their privacy; the equipment, lanes, rates, and results are their actual numbers.
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