Why are my freight costs so high?

Your shipping bills jumped 30% this year. You get different quotes every time you call carriers. Your profit margins are shrinking and you can't figure out why trucking got so expensive in Iowa.

Freight rates swing wildly based on fuel prices, driver shortages, and seasonal demand. When corn harvest hits Iowa, every truck heads to the grain elevators. That drives up rates for everyone else. Add rising diesel costs and a national shortage of qualified drivers, and you get the price spikes you're seeing.

LTL shipping typically costs 15-30% more than it did two years ago. Your rates depend on lane popularity, freight class, and timing. Shipping from Des Moines to Chicago costs less than shipping to rural Montana. Dense freight like machinery gets better rates than lightweight boxes. Peak seasons like harvest time or holiday shipping can double your costs.

Stop calling carriers directly for quotes. You're competing against freight brokers who move thousands of loads and get volume discounts. Gateway Logistics tracks rate patterns daily and maintains relationships with dozens of carriers. We know which carriers have space on your routes and can lock in rates before they spike.

You'll pay predictable rates instead of getting surprised by monthly bills. Your freight moves on schedule because we have backup carriers when your primary option falls through. You focus on your business instead of chasing truckers for quotes.

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