What Is a Lane?
November 18, 2021
A lane is a major route between cities or transportation hubs that a carrier covers on a regular schedule. Lanes can travel in any direction connecting two or more cities or hubs.
Penske Logistics
Solutions
Search
X
ClearChain® Technology Suite
Streamline supply chain complexities for optimal network efficiency.
ClearChain® Control
Take your supply chain to the next level with end-to-end visibility, orchestration and control.
Secure Your Data
Our data security solutions monitor systems, information and those who access and view data.
Increase Your Visibility
Our technology suite allows users to know what is happening at the touch of a button.
Improve Efficiency
Drive efficiency, increase sustainability, optimize the supply chain and reduce your risks.
Automotive
Our years of experience prepared us for managing the logistics required for the changing automotive industry.
Chemical
Penske has a background of improving supply chain efficiency for leading chemical, paint and agricultural products companies.
Consumer Products
Allow us to enhance your consumer products supply chain through efficient, cost-effective solutions that give you more visibility.
Food and Beverage
We offer a range of services to transport your products from farm to market, to arrive safely, quickly, and fresh through specialized systems, transportation, and warehouses.
Healthcare and Medical Supplies
We know it's critical for you to have visibility into the safe and timely distribution of healthcare products, medical supplies, and medical devices.
Technology and Electronics
Custom solutions for global supply chains, delivering parts and products through agile distribution and transportation solutions.
Industrial
Manufacturing
We create solutions to support manufacturing and manage your inventory across global networks, all while reducing costs and driving efficiency.
Paper and Packaging
Penske can help identify and trim logistics and transportation costs while retaining superior service and on-time delivery.
Retail
From big box to convenience stores, we serve the delivery and supply chain needs of leading major retailers.
Resource Library
Explore a diverse range of articles, case studies, e-books, industry reports, and news from our logistics experts.
Logistics Industry Reports
These reports are widely used by supply chain and logistics professionals as the benchmark for U.S. logistics activity.
Logistics Glossary
Find the most up-to-date definitions for Penske Logistics terminology.
Leadership Team
Learn about the leaders of Penske Logistics, a global logistics solutions provider. Explore their backgrounds, roles, and insights into the industry.
Global Reach
Penske is a large global logistics solutions and services providers, offering local management to meet your needs.
Environmental Sustainability
As a leader in transportation and logistics, we recognize our environmental responsibility to provide sustainable logistics solutions.
Press Releases
Discover our achievements, including expansions, improvements, and partnerships. Explore press releases from Penske Logistics.
News and Stories
Stay informed about key industry news and Penske Logistics updates through our blog posts.
Awards
Our partners and industry organizations have recognized us for providing outstanding logistics services.
Request Information
Call 1-800-529-6531
Give us a call or send us a message. We want to hear from you.
Request for Proposal (RFP)
Let's begin a dialogue. Send your requirements and a Penske representative will contact you.
Become a Carrier
Develop a partnership with Penske. Our agents are ready to go to work for you.
Join Our Team
Advance your career with an organization committed to integrity and innovation.
lane efficiency
Motor carriers seeking to manage risks amid upcoming uncertainty should focus on becoming more efficient in the lanes they serve and making the most out of excess capacity, according to the 31st Annual State of Logistics Report®.
Michael Zimmerman, a partner with the global strategic management consulting firm Kearney and lead author of the 31st Annual State of Logistics Report, said companies need to focus on asset utilization and analyze their customers to understand which are the most profitable and cohesive within their network.
"One approach to efficiency is to stay focused on a predetermined network, aligning shipper commitments to keep paid miles up and drivers happy," Zimmerman wrote in the report, which was introduced by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) and presented virtually by Penske Logistics on June 23.
Companies can improve their efficiency in four ways: through network optimization, route data analysis, freight management, and backhaul opportunities.
Network Optimization: Companies can maximize productivity through an effective network design. Engineers can model key constraints, such as manufacturing limitations and delivery time frames and costs, analyze shipment or demand data, and run what-if scenarios to determine the ideal routes. The analysis can also help determine which channels should be served by which locations, ideal supplier base locations, the best ports of entry, and the optimal positioning for brick-and-mortar warehouses.
Route Data Analysis: Analyzing historical, current and predicted routes, shipment times and dates, and overall demand could help determine the best path going forward. Evaluating the data can help identify the most cost-effective routes as well as the optimal asset mix.
Freight Management: Today's supply chain is more complex, variable and demanding, and managing freight requires more than merely matching shipments to carriers. The ideal freight management solutions provide visibility and control over a network to create the most efficient routes to move product.
Backhaul Opportunities: One way to reduce empty miles is to find optimal backhaul opportunities. Backhauls can increase revenue and sustainability, but they require intense coordination as the timing must match at every step of the delivery process. Moreover, carriers need to find backhauls that fit within their schedule and find products that work within their trailers.
Penske Logistics has several resources to help customers improve efficiency, including consulting services, supply chain management, and freight brokerage solutions.
Penske is Here to Help
Penske has a variety of solutions to help you improve efficiency, including commercial rental trucks, truck leases (including some short-term options), logistics services and used trucks. Penske's team of experts is here to help you tackle any business challenge.
[Read more...]Show less
Loading posts...
Customer Service
Our Businesses
Penske Resources
© 2025 Penske. All Rights Reserved.