Businesses that ship regularly between the same locations can benefit from setting up a recurring delivery route instead of quoting each shipment individually. Here is how to evaluate whether a recurring route makes sense and how to set one up.
When Recurring Routes Make Sense
- Regular branch transfers — Moving inventory, parts, or supplies between your own locations on a predictable schedule.
- Scheduled customer deliveries — Delivering to the same customers on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
- Backup delivery capacity — When your own fleet is at capacity and you need reliable overflow service.
- Consistent vendor pickups — Picking up from the same suppliers and delivering to your facility.
What to Consider
When planning a recurring route, think about:
- Frequency — How often do you need the route run? Daily, weekly, bi-weekly?
- Volume consistency — Does the freight volume stay roughly the same, or does it vary significantly?
- Timing — Are there specific pickup and delivery windows that need to be met?
- Route complexity — Is it a simple point-to-point route, or does it involve multiple stops?
Getting Started
Contact the carrier with your route details, including locations, frequency, typical freight volume, and any timing requirements. A good carrier will work with you to design a route that meets your business needs and can adjust as your requirements change over time.