I will ACCEPT Load 1 and REJECT Load 2. Here is why

 

I will ACCEPT Load 1 and REJECT Load 2. Here is why:

LOAD 1 - GOOD LOAD - ACCEPT

Rate: $2,600 | 1,000 miles | Deadhead: 15 miles

This is a winner.

• Rate Per Mile is excellent: $2.60 per mile. Even with deadhead, it's $2,600 / 1,015 miles = $2.56 per all miles. That's well above the current Dry Van market average.
• Deadhead is almost zero: 15 miles means no wasted fuel, no wasted hours. You start making money immediately.
• Equipment: Dry Van is cheap to run. No extra fuel for reefer unit.
• Delivery location is GOLD: Atlanta, GA is a high freight market. That means after I deliver, I have 100+ loads to choose from to get out. I won't get stuck and I won't have to deadhead far for the next load. This load pays you now AND sets you up for the next one.

This is the type of load I want all day.

LOAD 2 - BAD LOAD - REJECT

Rate: $3,000 | 1,500 miles | Deadhead: 180 miles

This looks like more money, but it's a trap.

• Rate Per Mile is actually low: On paper it's $2.00 per mile, but with 180 miles deadhead, your real miles are 1,680. So $3,000 / 1,680 = $1.78 per all miles. And that's for a Reefer which costs more to run than a Dry Van.
• Deadhead kills it: 180 miles empty is 3+ hours of driving for FREE. That's fuel and time you never get back.
• Equipment: Reefer means higher fuel, more maintenance. $1.78 for Reefer is very cheap.
• Delivery location is a RED FLAG: Small rural town. What happens after you deliver? There is no freight there. You will probably have to deadhead another 150-200 miles empty just to find your next load. So you lose again on the back end.