Load planning and route optimization are where small process improvements compound into big margin gains. The goal is to move the same freight with fewer miles, fewer hours, and fewer surprises.
Plan around constraints first: pickup and delivery appointment windows, equipment requirements, weight limits, driver HOS, and known facility dwell patterns.
Next, focus on utilization: cube out / weigh out, smart stop sequencing, and consolidation where it makes sense. Avoid “perfect loads” that create fragile plans with no slack.
Use a consistent playbook for backhauls. A backhaul that is 20% lower rate can still win if it eliminates empty repositioning miles and keeps your next-day network intact.
Route optimization works best when it is dynamic. Traffic, weather, and facility delays change the plan—so your dispatch workflow should support re-optimization and exception management.
Measure what matters: empty miles %, on-time performance, average dwell time, and cost-per-mile by lane. These KPIs tell you whether the plan is improving the business, not just the map.
When you standardize planning inputs and review outcomes weekly, optimization stops being a one-off project and becomes a habit.