Backhaul Optimization Software
Backhaul software that turns your return trip into revenue
TrucksOnTheMap fills return trips automatically. Cut deadhead miles by 45%, lower transport costs, and reduce your carbon footprint.
45%
Fewer Empty Miles
30%
Cost Reduction
28%
Lower CO₂ Emissions
30sec
Match Time
The Problem
35% of trucks drive empty without backhaul optimization
The return trip is the most wasted resource in freight transport. Without backhaul optimization, trucks drive empty: burning fuel, increasing emissions, and destroying margins.
Trucks Running Empty
Industry average: 25–35% of all truck miles are driven without cargo. That’s billions in wasted fuel, driver time, and vehicle wear.
Margin Erosion
Empty return trips mean paying for fuel, tolls, and driver wages with zero revenue. Every deadhead mile eats directly into your margin.
Unnecessary Carbon Emissions
Empty trucks produce the same CO₂ as loaded ones. Sustainability targets are out of reach with 35% deadhead rates.
Manual Backhaul Search
Dispatchers spend hours calling around for return loads. By the time they find one, the truck is already halfway home, empty.
No Visibility into Available Loads
You don’t know what loads are available near your truck’s delivery point. Load boards are fragmented and slow. Opportunities missed daily.
Network Silos
Inbound and outbound freight operate in silos. Loads that could be backhauled by your own fleet get handed to external carriers.
What You Get
TrucksOnTheMap cuts empty miles by 45% and boosts revenue
45%
fewer empty miles
The right backhaul for every return trip
30%
Lower total transport costs
Backhaul revenue offsets outbound costs. Every filled return trip turns a pure cost into a profit contributor.
28%
CO₂ reduction
Lower your carbon footprint
Fewer empty miles means fewer emissions. Hit sustainability targets while improving your bottom line.
85%
Fill rate
Higher fleet utilization
Push return trip fill rates above 85%. Your fleet goes from cost center to revenue generator.
100%
Automated matching engine
Multi-factor matching: location, timing, equipment, HOS.
24/7
Load marketplace access
Browse available loads near delivery points in real time.
Trusted by Industry Leaders
Key Capabilities
Backhaul optimization features built into our software
Backhaul Engine
Improve continuously
- Multi-factor matching: location, timing, equipment, HOS compliance
- Triangulation support: match loads that aren't direct backhauls
- Continuous re-optimization as new loads become available
- Configurable rules: max detour distance, time windows
Network Optimization
Your own loads first
- Cross-reference inbound and outbound freight within your network
- Spot internal backhaul opportunities before going to market
- Multi-shipper collaboration for shared lane optimization
- Round-trip and triangular route planning
Load Marketplace
Fill gaps with external loads
- Available loads near delivery points in real time
- Rate comparison and margin calculation before acceptance
- Carrier self-service: browse and accept backhaul opportunities
- Quality filters: shipper rating, payment terms, commodity type
Sustainability Reporting
Measure your green impact
- CO₂ savings calculator per backhaul match
- Empty mile reduction tracking against baselines
- Empty mile reduction tracking against baselines
- Carbon offset equivalent visualization
Backhaul Analytics
Improve continuously
- Fill rate dashboards by lane, region, and carrier
- Revenue per mile analysis: outbound vs. return
- Opportunity cost reporting: missed backhauls quantified
- Lane-level deadhead trend analysis
Ready to fill empty trucks?
Every mile loaded. Every trip profitable.
Logistics leaders have cut empty miles by 45% and turned return trips from pure cost into revenue with TrucksOnTheMap.
Use Cases
Who uses TrucksOnTheMap for Backhaul Optimization?
Backhaul optimization software for automotive and industrial freight networks
Empty return miles are a direct cost to your network. TrucksOnTheMap identifies backhaul opportunities across your carrier base and matches return capacity to loads before trucks leave your sites empty.
- Empty mile detection across carrier fleet
- Return load matching by route and equipment
- Backhaul revenue attribution by lane
- Carrier incentive tracking for backhaul uptake
Backhaul optimization software for 3PL and freight brokerage networks
3PLs that offer carriers consistent backhaul loads win better rates and capacity priority. TrucksOnTheMap matches return freight to carrier schedules so you deliver value in both directions.
- Carrier return schedule visibility
- Cross-client backhaul load pooling
- Rate improvement tracking by carrier and lane
- Backhaul offer automation on outbound booking
Backhaul optimization software for retail and FMCG supplier collection
Every outbound delivery is a potential supplier collection. TrucksOnTheMap matches return capacity to your supplier pickup schedule so your fleet and carriers stop driving home empty.
- Supplier collection matching on return routes
- Promotional returns and reverse logistics backhaul
- Retail network backhaul lane mapping
- On-time supplier pickup performance tracking
Backhaul optimization software for pharmaceutical and cold chain carriers
Pharmaceutical carriers can’t take any available backhaul load — product segregation and temperature requirements still apply. TrucksOnTheMap matches return loads only to carriers with the right cold chain profile.
- Temperature-compatible return load matching
- Product segregation rules on backhaul assignment
- GDP-carrier-only backhaul pool
- Return load documentation and audit trail
Backhaul optimization software for chemical tanker and ADR transport operators
Chemical backhaul isn’t just about filling empty miles, it requires substance compatibility, tank cleaning records, and ADR compliance on every return load. TrucksOnTheMap enforces all of this automatically.
- Substance compatibility screening on return loads
- Tank cleaning certification validation pre-match
- ADR-compliant backhaul carrier pool
- Return load incident risk scoring
Backhaul optimization software for construction haulage and plant logistics
Construction hauliers running equipment to site often return empty. TrucksOnTheMap identifies return load opportunities for low-loaders, flatbeds, and abnormal load vehicles so every run pays.
- Abnormal load return route matching
- Equipment hire return leg load opportunities
- Low-loader backhaul availability alerts
- Project site to depot backhaul lane mapping
How It Works
How TrucksOnTheMap optimizes backhaul in five steps
Step 01
Truck Completes Delivery
When your truck delivers its load, TrucksOnTheMap immediately scans for available return loads near the delivery point.
Step 02
Best Match Found
Loads are evaluated by proximity, timing, equipment compatibility, driver HOS, and profitability. Thousands scored in 12 seconds.
Step 03
Driver Gets Notified
The best backhaul option is sent to the driver’s app. They review, accept, and navigate to pickup. No dispatcher calls needed.
Step 04
Execute & Track
The backhaul load is tracked in real time like any other shipment inside TrucksOnTheMap. Full visibility from pickup to delivery.
Step 05
Measure & Improve
Post-delivery analytics show revenue earned, miles saved, and CO₂ reduced. Every completed backhaul improves future matching.
What Our Clients Say
Trusted by logistics leaders across Europe
“TrucksOnTheMap made our freight management best-in-class. Speed, transparency and premium control.”
Mr. T. Forray
Head of Supply Chain
Apollo Tyres HU
“The latest technology & beautiful design in every tool we create. So, road freight becomes fun again.”
Mr. T. Domonkos, MBA
CEO
TrucksOnTheMap
“With the online procurement we managed to cut costs and minimize the risk of disruption in our supply chain.”
Mr. B. Rafaj
Production and Logistics Manager
Saint-Gobain Construction Products SK
Compare
Backhaul software vs. manual load searching and phone calls
Manual Loads & Phone Calls
The old way
- Automated return load matching
- 30-second match time
- Network-first optimization
- Driver HOS compliance checking
- Triangulation & multi-stop matching
- CO₂ savings tracking
- Live load availability
- Revenue per mile analytics
- Cross-border backhaul support
- Automated driver notifications
Recommended
TrucksOnTheMap
The smart way
- Automated return load matching
- 30-second match time
- Network-first optimization
- Driver HOS compliance checking
- Triangulation & multi-stop matching
- CO₂ savings tracking
- Live load availability
- Revenue per mile analytics
- Cross-border backhaul support
- Automated driver notifications
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about backhaul optimization
What is backhaul optimization software?
A backhaul optimization software automatically finds freight loads for trucks that would otherwise drive empty on their return trip. TrucksOnTheMap matches available loads with returning trucks based on location, timing, and equipment, eliminating deadhead miles and generating revenue from return trips.
How fast does TrucksOnTheMap find a return load?
TrucksOnTheMap identifies and scores the best backhaul option in 30 seconds on average. It evaluates proximity, timing, equipment requirements, driver hours-of-service, and profitability across thousands of available loads.
How do you handle delays, late arrivals, and no-shows?
The platform sends automated reminders before each appointment. If a carrier is running late, live ETA tracking (via GPS/telematics integration) allows operations teams to proactively reassign dock slots. No-show carriers are flagged in adherence scorecards for accountability.
What is the difference between backhaul matching and triangulation?
Backhaul matching finds a direct return load from your delivery point back toward your origin. Triangulation involves picking up a load that isn’t directly on your return route but reduces overall empty miles when combined with other loads. TrucksOnTheMap handles both.
Does TrucksOnTheMap check driver hours-of-service?
Yes. Every match is validated against the driver’s remaining HOS before being suggested. Our software won’t recommend a load that would cause an HOS violation.
Can TrucksOnTheMap prioritize loads from my own network?
Yes. Our platform cross-references your inbound and outbound freight first, finding internal backhaul opportunities within your own network before looking at external marketplace loads.
What fill rates can TrucksOnTheMap achieve?
Customers typically reach return trip fill rates of 75–85%, up from an industry average of 40–50% without optimization. Results depend on your network density, lane structure, equipment types, and geographic coverage.
What is the ROI?
Customers typically see 45% fewer empty miles, 30% lower total transport costs, and 28% fewer CO₂ emissions. Revenue from previously empty return trips often pays for the platform within 2 months.
What systems does TrucksOnTheMap integrate with?
The platform connects to major WMS (Blue Yonder, Manhattan), TMS (Oracle, Descartes), and ERP (SAP, JDE) systems via REST API or EDI. GPS and telematics integrations provide live ETA updates. A full sandbox environment is available for custom integrations.
How is TrucksOnTheMap different from a load board?
Load boards are passive: you search and hope. TrucksOnTheMap is proactive: our software identifies the best return load for each truck based on location, timing, HOS, and profitability, then notifies the driver.
Ready to Optimize?
Let's talk backhaul optimization
Book a 30-minute demo. We’ll show you how our platform cuts empty miles by 45%, reduces costs by 30%, and turns return trips into revenue.
TrucksOnTheMap is the all-in-one logistics platform that helps shippers, carriers, and warehouses coordinate dock scheduling, gain real-time freight visibility, and optimise time slot management across Europe. From inbound coordination to last-mile tracking, we bring transparency to every mile.
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