How to Minimize Deadhead Miles Through Smarter Route Planning
If you’re in the trucking business, you already know how painful deadhead miles can be. It’s that dreaded stretch where your truck is burning fuel, wasting time, and not making a single dollar. Empty miles hurt your bottom line. But what if smarter route planning could change that?
Let’s dive into some easy and effective ways to cut down on deadhead miles—and boost your profits while doing it.
First, What Are Deadhead Miles?
In simple terms, deadhead miles are the miles your truck drives with an empty trailer. No freight. No revenue. Just costs. These miles usually happen when a truck finishes one delivery but doesn’t have a load to carry on the way back or to the next job.
For freight carriers and owner-operators, too many deadhead miles can eat up profits fast. Fuel prices are high. Driver hours are limited. Every mile should count.
Why Smarter Route Planning Is a Game-Changer
Here’s the good news: better planning = fewer empty miles.
With the right tools and mindset, you can make sure your trucks are moving smart—not just moving.
Smarter route planning for logistics companies doesn’t just mean finding the shortest way from A to B. It means thinking about:
What freight is available near the drop-off point
Which backhauls make sense
Where your driver is headed next
How traffic, weather, and hours-of-service rules come into play
Let’s break it all down.
1. Use Load Boards That Show Return Loads
The easiest way to cut deadhead miles? Book a return load before your driver gets to the destination.
Most modern freight load boards for trucking companies now offer smart features. They show not only available loads but also “matchbacks” or “backhauls.” These are loads headed near your origin—or at least somewhere profitable.
Some examples:
DAT
Truckstop
123LoadBoard
Look for load boards that give you real-time updates. Many also offer route optimization and fuel cost estimators. These can help you find the best route, not just the closest one.
2. Plan Multi-Leg Routes Ahead of Time
Instead of thinking trip-by-trip, think like a chess player. Plan 2–3 moves ahead.
If your truck is delivering in Kansas City, start looking for loads near KC before the drop-off. Even better—set up a triangle. Drop in KC, pick up in Oklahoma City, then drop in Dallas.
This strategy, known as multi-leg freight route planning, helps keep trucks full more often. It may take a little more coordination, but the results are worth it.
3. Work With a Dispatcher or 3PL Partner
If route planning isn’t your thing, don’t worry. There are pros who can help.
Third-party logistics providers (3PLs) or freight dispatch services for small trucking companies specialize in getting trucks filled with freight—both outbound and inbound.
A good dispatcher doesn’t just find the next load. They build your whole week’s route with minimal downtime and max revenue.
This is especially helpful for:
Small fleets
Solo owner-operators
New trucking businesses trying to grow
4. Use Trucking Management Software (TMS)
We live in a digital world, G. It’s time to go beyond spreadsheets.
Modern transportation management software for carriers can help you plan better routes with fewer deadhead miles. These systems often include:
Real-time GPS tracking
Load-matching suggestions
Fuel tracking
Delivery scheduling
Some even connect directly to load boards, letting you find and book loads right inside the software.
Popular options include:
Samsara
Motive (formerly KeepTruckin)
Truckbase
Axele
Using TMS isn’t just about cutting deadhead miles. It’s about making your whole trucking operation more efficient.
5. Build Consistent Lanes with Shippers
Relationships matter in trucking.
If you’re doing one-off loads all the time, your trucks will be running empty more often. But when you lock in dedicated freight lanes with shippers, you get consistent routes that are easier to plan.
For example: A contract where you deliver goods every Tuesday from Chicago to Columbus? That’s gold. You can now plan return loads from Ohio, knowing you’ll be in that area regularly.
This works especially well for:
Dry van freight companies
Reefer carriers
Flatbed operators with niche clients
6. Don’t Forget About Load Weight and Timing
Even if a load fills your trailer, it’s not always the best move. Sometimes, a light load with perfect timing is better than a heavy one that slows you down.
Smarter planning also means considering:
Load/unload time
Time-of-day traffic
Weather conditions
Hours of service limits
Use that info to schedule better. An efficient schedule means you can take more loads—with less time spent driving empty.
7. Train Drivers to Think Ahead
Drivers aren’t just steering the wheel—they’re part of the planning too.
Train your drivers to:
Communicate early if their schedule changes
Use mobile apps to scout loads nearby
Give feedback on regular routes
Many successful fleet owners with under 10 trucks say their biggest wins come from drivers who help avoid empty miles.
Let’s Wrap It Up
Cutting deadhead miles isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter. With a little planning, the right tools, and good relationships, your trucking business can stay profitable mile after mile.
So here’s what to remember:
Use freight load boards with backhaul filters
Plan multi-stop routes ahead of time
Consider working with a freight dispatch service
Invest in transportation management software
Build consistent lanes with reliable shippers
Plan for time, not just distance
Include your drivers in the strategy
Deadhead miles may be part of the game—but they don’t have to be the norm.