In the world of freight and logistics, empty miles—also known as deadhead miles—refer to the distance a truck travels without carrying a load. Every empty mile means lost revenue, wasted fuel, increased wear and tear, and missed opportunities.
One of the most effective ways to combat this challenge is by using professional dispatch services. Dispatchers act as strategic planners for your trucking operation, ensuring that your trucks spend more time moving paid freight and less time running empty.
What Are Empty Miles and Why Are They a Problem?
Empty miles occur when a truck is not generating revenue—usually when traveling:
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From the delivery point to the next pickup location
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Back to a home terminal after a delivery
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To a more active freight market from a low-demand area
Even though no freight is being hauled, the truck is still consuming fuel, accruing hours, and putting strain on the vehicle. According to industry data, empty miles can account for up to 20-30% of total miles traveled by some carriers.
This translates into:
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Lower profit margins
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Higher operating costs
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Reduced driver satisfaction
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Negative environmental impact
How Dispatch Services Help Reduce Empty Miles
Freight forwarding companies are logistics experts who work behind the scenes to plan routes, schedule loads, and coordinate freight in a way that minimizes deadhead. Here’s how:
1. Load Planning and Route Optimization
Dispatchers use advanced logistics tools and load boards to plan multi-stop routes and find backhauls. Their goal is to ensure that every trip has a revenue-generating purpose. For example:
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Deliver a load to Chicago
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Pick up a return load from Indiana to Texas
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Then find another outbound load from Texas
By stacking loads strategically, dispatchers ensure trucks aren’t running empty between jobs.
2. Backhaul Management
Backhauls are loads that bring the truck back to its point of origin or another profitable freight zone. Dispatchers specialize in securing return loads, even in slow markets.
Their ability to quickly identify and book backhauls helps maximize utilization and revenue per mile.
3. Real-Time Load Matching
Dispatchers have access to premium and real-time load boards, broker contacts, and logistics platforms. This means they can book last-minute loads and reduce the amount of time a truck spends sitting empty or driving deadhead.
4. Carrier-Broker Relationships
Dispatch services often build strong relationships with trusted brokers and shippers, which gives them access to:
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Consistent freight lanes
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Dedicated round trips
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Priority booking for return loads
These relationships help dispatchers find more efficient freight options and avoid long-distance deadhead scenarios.
5. Data Analysis and Reporting
High-end dispatchers use historical data to analyze:
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Lanes with frequent empty miles
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Regions with low freight volume
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Truck performance and fuel usage
This data allows dispatchers to refine strategies, adjust routes, and recommend shifts in operational focus to minimize inefficiencies.
6. Market Awareness and Load Density Mapping
Professional dispatchers stay updated with freight market trends, seasonal demand spikes, and load density maps. They know which areas are dry (low load-to-truck ratios) and which ones are hot.
This awareness helps them avoid sending trucks into dead zones, ensuring that drivers are more likely to find outbound or return loads after a delivery.
7. Driver Availability and HOS Management
Dispatchers ensure that routes are planned based on driver hours of service (HOS) availability, reducing unnecessary repositioning. Efficient load timing allows them to maximize driver productivity and reduce empty travel time.
8. Multistop and LTL Coordination
Dispatchers can also coordinate less-than-truckload (LTL) or multi-stop routes, which improves truck utilization and reduces unproductive miles. Rather than waiting for a full load, they may build a route using partial shipments to fill the trailer.
Benefits of Reducing Empty Miles Through Dispatch Services
The direct and indirect advantages of minimizing deadhead miles include:
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Increased Revenue per Mile: More loaded miles means higher earnings.
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Lower Fuel Costs: Trucks burn fuel even when empty—less deadhead saves fuel.
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Reduced Maintenance: Less unnecessary driving means fewer repairs.
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Higher Driver Satisfaction: Drivers prefer staying busy with paid freight.
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Improved Sustainability: Fewer wasted miles mean reduced emissions.
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Greater Business Scalability: Efficient operations mean you can grow your fleet profitably.
Example: How a Dispatcher Reduces Empty Miles
Let’s say a driver drops a load in Phoenix. Without a dispatcher, they might have to deadhead 300 miles to find the next load in Los Angeles.
With a dispatcher:
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They check load boards and broker networks.
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Find a load 20 miles away from Phoenix heading toward Dallas.
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Then book a follow-up load from Dallas to Atlanta.
In this example, deadhead is reduced by 280 miles, and the driver stays on profitable lanes.
Conclusion
Freight Dispatch services are vital partners in reducing empty miles and increasing profitability in the trucking industry. Their ability to optimize routes, secure backhauls, and manage real-time logistics ensures that every mile driven counts toward your bottom line.
In an industry where every dollar and mile matter, reducing deadhead is not just smart—it’s essential for long-term success.c
