For most freight, any old truck will do. But when it comes to the big stuff, you need the big boys, so rates can be astronomical sometimes. It is a well known fact in the trucking industry that the best drivers are the ones doing heavy haul. The trucking companies that cover these loads are the highest rated companies as well. And, the old adage is still true- you get what you pay for.


If you are reading this because you have a heavy load to ship, please get a few quotes before you move it. And get the details ready! You’ll have to measure every dimension. If you are wrong about any dimension, it can drastically affect your freight rate.

If you are a trucking company that’s tired of hauling cheap freight- just don’t do it. I know you can’t afford to sit still, but at the same time, what good is breaking even and tearing up your truck for nothing?


There is no general rate for heavy hauling. Permits are expensive and escorts are too. Everything is relative. You can ship a heavy load for anywhere from $5.00 a mile to $50.00 a mile. There are really too many variables to give you a basic rule of thumb here, but I will try.

When I was doing heavy haul (2006 to 2010) my average load paid about $4 a mile. These were mostly loads that may have been 10-feet wide, and that was their only over-dimension. When it required another axle (heavy loads up to 100,000 pounds) it usually paid a little more- about $5 a mile. If it required escorts, like I said before, you have to add in all the costs and it varies a lot. escorts not only cost money, they cost time, and we all know time is money too.

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It’s easy to fall prey to the under-bidders out there in these backward times. Which reminds me, if you are a conservative, please visit Backward Times a conservative news blog.