Backhaul

A backhaul is a load a carrier picks up on the return leg of a trip, after delivering the primary (headhaul) load. Carriers prefer to avoid driving empty – deadheading burns fuel and generates no revenue – so they actively seek backhaul freight to fill the return trip. For shippers, backhaul loads often come at discounted rates because the carrier is already repositioning the truck anyway.

Backhaul economics are straightforward. If a carrier moves a load from Chicago to Atlanta and needs to return the truck to the Midwest, any freight they can pick up in Atlanta heading north offsets their repositioning cost. The carrier doesn't need to cover the full cost of the return trip with the backhaul rate – just enough to beat running empty. This means shippers located in historically "backhaul-heavy" markets (where more freight arrives than departs) can often access favorable pricing.

The flip side: shippers located in headhaul markets – where outbound demand exceeds inbound – face tighter capacity and higher rates because carriers compete to get loads out but have plenty of options. Understanding whether your lanes are headhaul or backhaul positions is essential to effective carrier negotiation. A shipper who knows they're offering a backhaul opportunity can negotiate accordingly; one who doesn't is leaving money on the table.

Market rate benchmarking tools and carrier network data help identify which lanes offer backhaul advantages. Pairing this insight with your freight procurement strategy – whether through RFPs, spot market, or carrier partnerships – turns directional imbalances into cost-saving opportunities.