Regional Carriers: What You Need to Know

How do you know if adding regional carriers to your distribution strategy makes sense? Like most things, there isn’t a simple answer, but by looking at the right factors for your business you can determine what makes sense for you.

If you're a business owner who ships any product, considering regional shipping carrier for your shipping needs is a must. In this article, we'll discuss what regional carriers are, provide a map of the service areas of some of the largest regional carriers, and outline the pros and cons of using a regional carrier for your business needs. By the end of this article, you'll have a better understanding of whether a regional shipping carrier is the right choice for your business.

What is a regional carrier?

Regional carriers are shipping companies that provide delivery services within specific geographic regions or areas, typically within a particular state or group of neighboring states. These carriers specialize in providing fast, reliable and cost-effective shipping services for businesses that frequently ship goods within their respective regions. Regional carriers often have a good understanding of local routes, regulations, and conditions, which allows them to provide efficient and effective shipping solutions.

Additionally, regional carriers typically have highly personalized customer service and more flexibility in their services than some national carriers, which can be beneficial for businesses with unique shipping needs. Overall, regional carriers are a popular option for businesses seeking reliable and cost-effective shipping solutions within a specific geographic area.

Why would shippers use regional carriers?

To cut costs.
To mitigate risk by expanding carrier options and reducing reliance on a single carrier.
To ship to destinations within a specific city, county, or state that purchase a high volume of products.
To have greater flexibility in shipping choices.
To provide same-day shipping.

What areas do regional carriers cover?

The pros and cons of using regional carriers

A lot goes into making the decision to use either a national or regional carrier. To decide if a regional carrier would be beneficial to your business, examine the following pros and cons carefully:

Pros of using regional carriers

Lower shipping costs: Regional carriers can sometimes offer more affordable shipping rates compared to larger national carriers like UPS and FedEx, which can help businesses save on shipping costs in certain cases.
Faster delivery times: Since regional carriers typically operate within a specific geographic area, they can sometimes provide faster delivery times for a lower price for businesses that frequently ship within their respective regions.
Personalized service: Regional carriers often provide more personalized customer service and greater flexibility in their services, which can be beneficial for businesses with unique shipping needs.
Local expertise: Regional carriers have a great understanding of local routes, regulations, and conditions, which allows them to provide more efficient and effective shipping solutions.
Environmentally friendly: Shipping with a regional carrier can reduce carbon emissions associated with transportation by limiting the distance that packages need to travel.

Cons of using regional carriers

Smaller service areas: Regional carriers operate within a specific geographic area, which means that they cannot offer services to all destinations or regions.
Limited capacity: Since regional carriers are smaller than national carriers, they often have limited capacity for shipping large volumes or oversized items.

Limited resources: Regional carriers can have fewer resources than larger national carriers, which could result in limited customer support or slower response times to issues or concerns.
Tracking capabilities can be affected: Regional carriers can have less last-mile delivery visibility, which has the potential to affect customer relationships.

How to decide if using a regional carrier is right for your business:

Regional shipping carriers can offer a range of benefits for businesses looking to ship products within a specific geographic area. These carriers can provide fast delivery times, low shipping costs, and more personalized service. However, there are also potential drawbacks to consider, such as limited-service areas, limited tracking information, and less well-known brand recognition.

For businesses, it's important to weigh the pros and cons carefully to determine whether a regional shipping carrier is the best choice for your specific needs. By considering factors such as shipping volume, shipping destinations, delivery speed, and comparing costs across carriers, you can make an informed decision about whether a regional carrier is right for your business.

Here at iDrive Logistics, we specialize in helping businesses of all sizes make the best shipping decisions for their company. If you’d like to discuss your business with an industry expert, contact us today! https://www.idrivelogistics.com/talk-with-an-expert