Prices aren't drastically going up. Trico Steel in Decatur, Ala., hasn't seen a driver shortage. But the steelmaker has trouble finding truckers to haul steel to areas where a backhaul isn't available. These are in western South Carolina, southwest Georgia, and southeast Mississippi. This means that more telephone calls are required to find shippers.
Customers determine the mode of shipment.
Trucks deliver half of Trico's steel, with rail and barge splitting the rest evenly. Rail and barge are favored beyond that distance. Truck clearly wins on speed. Charging higher rates Despite the shortage of drivers, shipping rates by truck have remained steady. That might be part of the problem.