Local freight used to be a cost-saving option. In 2025, not so much. Rising diesel prices, driver shortages, and insurance premiums are hitting local carriers hard. And when those prices go up, so do your delivery costs.

Even local deliveries of pallets and building materials are becoming more expensive. It’s not uncommon to see fuel surcharges and minimum mileage fees, especially on partial loads.

To cut costs, consider consolidating deliveries, ordering in bulk, or working with suppliers who own their own delivery fleet. Regional companies tend to be more flexible and less reliant on third-party trucking.