OTR freight is vital to keeping America’s supply chain moving—from food on your table to goods in stores. But behind the scenes, it’s not always smooth sailing.
For shippers, brokers, and logistics managers, understanding common OTR challenges—and how to solve them—is key to staying on track. Here’s a look at the top issues and how to overcome them with strategy, foresight, and the right partners.
1. Driver Shortages Are Still a Roadblock
Despite ongoing hiring efforts, the U.S. trucking industry continues to face a persistent driver shortage. This leads to capacity constraints, shipping delays, and increased freight rates.
What You Can Do:
- Build strong relationships with carriers for preferred access to capacity.
- Work with 3PLs who can tap into a broad network of vetted drivers.
- Consider flexible scheduling to make your loads more attractive to available drivers.
2. Rising Fuel Costs and Surcharges
Fuel prices fluctuate, but when they spike, it directly impacts freight costs. Fuel surcharges and unpredictable pricing can quickly throw off your transportation budget.
Smart Solutions:
- Negotiate contracts with fuel clauses that account for volatility.
- Leverage route optimization tools to cut miles and idle time.
- Consolidate shipments when possible to reduce trips.
3. Regulations Keep Evolving
From hours-of-service (HOS) rules to electronic logging device (ELD) mandates and emissions standards, staying compliant with transportation regulations is complex and ever-changing.
Stay Ahead With:
- Regular compliance training for your logistics team.
- A reliable logistics partner that tracks regulatory updates for you.
- Technology platforms that automatically account for HOS and routing rules.
4. Tight Delivery Windows and Customer Demands
Customers expect fast, on-time deliveries—often with little room for error. But traffic, weather, and delays at pick-up or drop-off points can throw off tight delivery schedules.
Ways to Stay On Time:
- Use real-time tracking to monitor shipments and share updates with customers.
- Factor in buffer time for delays when planning routes.
- Set realistic expectations with receivers and communicate early if anything changes.
5. Lack of Shipment Visibility
Without clear insight into where your freight is, it’s hard to manage delays, reroute if needed, or keep your customers informed.
Improve Visibility With:
- GPS tracking integrated into your transportation management system (TMS).
- Real-time alerts for status changes, delays, or disruptions.
- Working with providers who prioritize transparency and proactive updates.
Partnering for Success
Over-the-road shipping will always come with challenges—but the right logistics strategy and partnerships can make all the difference. At Jansson LLC, we work alongside our clients to anticipate issues, streamline operations, and keep freight moving no matter what the road throws our way.
Want to simplify your OTR freight?
Let’s talk about how we can tailor a logistics solution that fits your needs—today and as your business grows.
