Trucks, routes, and a stubborn habit of backhauling.
We run our own fleet of four trucks across OH, IN, KY, WV, and PA. For loads beyond that radius, or for very large shipments, we book LTL and full-truck carriers we've worked with for years. Either way, dispatcher knows your name.
Quote a freight move
Same form, every page. Tell us what you've got or what you need; we send a real quote (not a sales drip).
What we do
- Local pickup. Inside the Greater Columbus metro, often same-day.
- Regional pickup & delivery. Routed weekly across the five-state radius.
- Full truckload. 36 IBCs single-stacked or 72 double-stacked per dry van.
- LTL. Palletized, blanket-wrapped, with our broker partners.
- Backhaul matching. If we're sending a truck out, we look for a return load. Cuts your freight cost and our emissions.
Indicative freight
| From — To | Per tote (LTL) | Per truck (FTL) |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus ↔ Greater Columbus metro | $22 | $280 |
| Columbus ↔ Cincinnati, OH | $32 | $540 |
| Columbus ↔ Cleveland, OH | $34 | $580 |
| Columbus ↔ Indianapolis, IN | $38 | $720 |
| Columbus ↔ Pittsburgh, PA | $40 | $770 |
| Columbus ↔ Louisville, KY | $42 | $820 |
| Columbus ↔ Detroit, MI | $48 | $960 |
| Columbus ↔ Chicago, IL | $58 | $1,180 |
About the fleet
- Four Class-6 box trucks (currently diesel; first EV pilot 2026).
- One flatbed for caged loads.
- All trucks DOT-inspected quarterly, ODOT-permitted.
- Drivers trained on tote-specific load patterns and stack limits.
Backhaul economics — why it matters
A truck driving 350 miles each way costs about the same whether it's loaded both ways or empty one way. The whole point of dispatching is to keep trucks loaded both ways.
An example: a one-way Columbus → Cincinnati delivery is 110 miles. Round-trip cost is about $540. If we backhaul a buy-back pickup from Cincinnati on the same day, the round-trip cost gets split across both loads — each customer's effective freight is ~$270.
Practical implications for you:
- If you can flex on date, your freight quote will usually be lower (we route against existing runs).
- If you're both buying and selling totes, do them in one move (we deliver and pick up on the same trip).
- If you're near a metro we already cover, you'll get faster scheduling than a remote location.
Truck capacity reference
| Truck type | 275-gal capacity | 330-gal capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53' dry van — single stack | 36 IBCs | 36 IBCs | Standard for most loads. |
| 53' dry van — double stack | 72 IBCs | — | 275-gal only; 330-gal too tall. |
| 48' flatbed — single stack | 32 IBCs | 32 IBCs | For oversized configurations. |
| 26' box truck | 16 IBCs | 16 IBCs | Local Columbus metro only. |
| 20' container | 16 IBCs | 16 IBCs | For drop-yard partnerships. |
What we don't do (and what to ask elsewhere)
- Hazmat freight. We're not hazmat-certified. For totes that contain residual hazardous chemistry, you need a hazwaste hauler, not us.
- Out-of-region single-tote LTL. Sending one tote to California isn't economic for either of us. Use a national LTL carrier.
- Time-definite intermodal. If you need rail intermodal with guaranteed delivery times, you need a logistics broker, not a regional fleet.
- International shipping. We don't do export. We don't ship to Canada (the Canadian customs paperwork doesn't pencil out for our small fleet).
Driver training and safety
Our drivers are CDL Class A and trained specifically on:
- IBC stacking and load patterns (corner-channel interlock for two-high loads).
- Cage geometry inspection (won't load a tote with a damaged cage).
- Cargo securement using load bars and corner-block straps.
- Forklift operation (we forklift-load most pickups; drivers must be able to operate either yours or our pallet jack).
- HOS compliance (federal hours-of-service rules, with 11/14 driving caps).
- Pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspection.
Trucks DOT-inspected quarterly. ODOT-permitted. Insured to $2M general liability + cargo insurance.
FAQ — logistics specifically
How do you quote freight?
We base on actual cost-per-mile plus driver hours, then adjust for backhaul opportunity. We don't use a per-tote rate card because real costs vary too much by route. The quote you get is the price you pay.
Can I use my own freight carrier?
Yes — for sales we'll palletize and have your carrier pick up at our yard. For buy-back, we usually need to handle the pickup ourselves to inspect at point of origin.
Insurance and damage in transit?
We carry cargo insurance and inspect every load at delivery. If we damage a tote in transit, we replace it. If LTL or third-party freight damages a tote, we file the claim with the carrier.
What's the cancellation policy?
Cancel 24+ hours before scheduled pickup, free. Cancel under 24 hours, $150 dispatch fee (we've already routed a truck).
Can you combine delivery and buy-back on one route?
Yes, and we prefer it. Dropping off clean inventory and picking up empties on the same trip usually lowers freight and improves route efficiency.