Freight glossary / Operations and dispatch
What is Backhaul in freight?
A backhaul is the return leg out of a market that has more trucks than freight, so it pays below average. Carriers accept weak backhaul rates because the alternative is running empty, which pays nothing. A broker who understands which direction is which on a lane can price both legs correctly instead of averaging them.
Related terms
Most freight software watches your business. FreightScout wins freight and then runs it.