Backhaul
A backhaul is a load taken on the return leg of a trip, priced to reduce empty miles rather than to earn a full outbound rate.
Last reviewed · by the fleetchart dispatch desk
Backhaul rates are typically lower because the alternative is running empty. The correct comparison is not against a headhaul rate but against zero revenue and the fuel burned anyway.
A backhaul that pays anything above its marginal cost improves the round trip. Judging it on rate per mile alone will usually cause you to refuse loads you should take.