Why Truckload Length of Haul Is Shrinking — And Why It Matters to You

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

🛻 Shorter Loads, Bigger Headaches?

Remember when you could run 1,200-mile loads across three states, catch a decent break, and still get back on the road without breaking your back or your bank account?

Yeah… good times.
But those days? They’re getting shorter — just like the average haul.

In 2025, truckload carriers are hauling less freight over shorter distances than ever before. That might sound like just another industry stat, but for drivers, it’s a game-changer — and not always in a good way.

Here’s what’s goin’ on:

➡️ Supply chains are getting more localized – With next-day delivery being the norm, shippers want warehouses closer to customers. That means more regional freight, fewer cross-country runs.

➡️ Distribution networks are shrinking miles – Big companies are adding more DCs (distribution centers) and reducing the length between warehouse and store. Again — good for them, not always good for you.

➡️ E-commerce changed the game – People buy one item at a time now, not pallets of stuff. That means more LTL (less-than-truckload) and short-haul work.

➡️ Freight patterns are shifting post-COVID – Remember those wild pandemic years? The supply chain hasn’t fully recovered — it just morphed. Now we’re seeing shorter, more fragmented runs.

How it’s affecting drivers 🚚

For drivers, shorter hauls mean more stops, more stress, and less pay (in many cases).

Lower mileage = lower pay if you’re on per-mile rates

More loading/unloading with short hauls (especially local runs)

Less home time than you’d think — you’re still working full shifts, just not going as far

Increased fatigue from more traffic, tighter turnarounds, and customer interaction

Sound familiar?

It ain’t all bad, though. For some drivers, short hauls mean more time at home and less stress on the body — if the pay lines up. That’s a big “if.”

Let’s talk money... 💰

A lot of carriers haven’t adjusted pay rates to make up for shorter average haul distances. That means you might still be getting paid per mile — even though you're doing more work per load.

That’s like gettin’ paid for miles walked on a treadmill while carryin’ a refrigerator.

If you're not being compensated for detention time, layovers, or multiple stops, you’re probably losing money while the company keeps winning.

The part nobody talks about:

🚨 These changes are part of a bigger trend — the slow “Amazonification” of trucking.

Think about it:

Fast shipping

Local warehouses

Automated routing

AI-managed loads

It’s all about efficiency for the shipper — but where does that leave the driver?

Trucking is slowly turning into a last-mile hustle for big tech… and we ain’t talking DoorDash here. If drivers don’t speak up and push for better contracts, they’ll end up doing more work for less reward.

Industry response: Adapt or get left behind

Some carriers are:

Switching to hourly pay (finally)

Offering guaranteed minimums

Creating dedicated short-haul lanes with consistent routes

But that’s the minority.

Most companies still expect drivers to adapt without compensation — and a lot of truckers are fed up. Some are moving to LTL companies, local delivery, or even hanging it up and learning skills off the road.

Bottom Line ⏬

The miles are shrinking, but the hustle’s getting heavier.
If your company hasn’t adjusted to shorter hauls by giving you more pay, better routes, or time flexibility, you might be falling behind — even if your wheels are still turning.

The future of trucking looks different. And unless you upgrade your game, you could end up working harder… for less.

🔥 Final Thought:

Shorter hauls don’t have to mean a shorter future.
But you better start thinking long-term — and that means having a plan beyond the wheel.

🚀 Call to Action:

Tired of being stuck in the same cycle?

👉 Start learning skills that make money off-duty and online
👉 Visit RetireFromTrucking.com
to build your exit plan
👉 Check out LifeAsATrucker.com
for tools to level up while you’re still rollin’

Don’t wait till burnout or a breakdown to figure out what’s next.