Linehaul

Linehaul refers to the long-distance movement of freight between transportation hubs, such as distribution centers, warehouses, or interchange terminals. It is the core leg of many supply chains, separating origin pickup and final-mile delivery. The linehaul segment typically covers the distance between facilities rather than to the end customer and is often the most cost-intensive portion of transit, though it can be performed by various modes, including trucking, rail, air, or ocean intermodal.

Most linehaul operations involve either direct routes with dedicated equipment and drivers or shared-haul arrangements where multiple shippers’ freight is consolidated. Common configurations include full truckload shipments moved on point-to-point routes, and intermodal transfers where a trailer is moved by rail for a substantial portion of the distance before final truck delivery. Scheduling can be fixed and routine or demand-based, depending on capacity and customer requirements.

Key management considerations include route optimization, capacity planning, driver hours of service compliance, and vehicle utilization. Performance is typically measured by on-time delivery, transit time variability, cost per mile, fuel efficiency, and asset utilization. Events such as weather, traffic, regulatory constraints, and driver shortages can affect reliability and cost.

Linehaul is distinct from last-mile delivery, which occurs at or near the final destination. Together, linehaul and last-mile form the primary structure of freight transportation in many logistics networks, influencing overall service levels and total transit times.