What is deadheading in trucking?

Deadheading in trucking refers to the process of hauling an empty trailer back to its origin or to the next destination where a load can be picked up. It happens when a truck driver completes a delivery and doesn't have another shipment to haul in the same direction. This means that the driver is transporting nothing except for the empty trailer, which is unproductive because no revenue is generated from carrying an empty load.

Although it's inefficient to run an empty trailer, deadheading is sometimes necessary in the trucking industry due to logistical reasons or lack of cargo availability. However, deadheading can result in increased expenses for the trucking company and the driver, such as fuel and maintenance costs. They may also lose potential revenues during the time spent deadheading.

To reduce the impact of deadheading, trucking companies can try to find nearby shipments or loads in the same direction. This can help maximize profits and reduce empty miles. Additionally, technological solutions such as load-matching software and freight exchanges can be used to connect drivers with available cargo that needs to be transported. This can help eliminate deadheading and increase profitability for both the trucking company and the driver.