Line Haul Tracking: How It Works & Best Tracking Websites

A line haul is a service in which freight is transported between two locations, typically cities, hubs, and warehouses. Line haul operators transport cargo across different modes of transport, such as air, sea, and land.

With millions of tons of cargo moved worldwide, lost or delayed consignments have become an ordinary occurrence, due to the expansive network of supply chains, various logistics processes, and a multitude of touch points.

As a result, line haul tracking has become one of the most integral aspects of freight logistics, providing visibility to end users, and giving them the ability to identify at which stage of the shipment their order is and when they are expected to receive it.

In this article, we will explain what line haul tracking is and will highlight its many benefits. We’ll also explain how trucking companies track their line haul freight vehicles and share the best tracking websites that you can use to track your consignments. 

What Is Line Haul Tracking?

In line haul tracking, shippers getting goods transported via line haul can monitor the progress of their shipments during transit. Using this information, they can make important decisions related to their logistics processes or understand when their cargo will arrive.

For example, a raw material company can use line haul tracking to procure machinery and human resources for unloading cargo at the right time. Similarly, anyone purchasing items through an eCommerce website will be able to track their shipments and see the estimated delivery date.

National and international carriers typically offer line haul services, and you will be able to track your shipments through their official websites. Many third-party line haul tracking services also collect shipment data and status updates from carriers and share them with shippers for free or a small fee.

How Do Companies Track Their Line Haul Trucks?

Line haul trucking companies utilize a mix of advanced technologies to provide real-time updates to shippers looking to know the whereabouts of their shipments. Access to shipment status, location, and other information is typically available on a trucking company’s website.

Below are two of the most common solutions used to enable real-time line haul tracking:

Global Positioning System (GPS)

Most modern freight trucks are equipped with a satellite-based global positioning system (GPS) that automatically feeds real-time location reports to fleet managers and shippers. GPS trackers can be installed in various parts of the truck, including the glove box, engine bay, center console, etc.

Line haul companies can use it to monitor vehicle speed and routes. GPS tracking also lets companies know whether a vehicle is moving or at a stop.

Electronic Logging Devices (ELD)

An Electronic Logging Device (ELD in short), is an electronic hardware equipped with sensors, including flowmeters, accelerometers, and gyroscopes, which can measure a wide range of data that includes truck speed, engine startup and shutdown, mileage, location, service hours, date & time, and engine idling time.

Line haul trucking companies use ELDs to record their drivers’ activities and vehicle movement so they can share necessary information with buyers, including their shipment’s location and estimated delivery times.

How to Use Line Haul Tracking Websites?

Most line haul tracking websites don’t require any registration and are free to use. All you need to do is enter your tracking number, and the site will display its transit and delivery status.

Below are the few essential steps to track your line haul shipment:

1. Find Tracking Number – Whenever you purchase an item that facilitates shipment tracking, the merchant or the logistics company will provide you with a tracking number (this can sometimes be the shipment reference number). You can typically find the tracking number on your invoice, receipt, or directly on the eCommerce platform.
2. Select a Line Haul Tracking Website – There are various line haul tracking websites available that you can pick from. Most of these platforms offer the same core service but vary in interface, comprehensiveness, and type of tracking information. You can choose one of our recommended tracking websites below.
3. Insert Tracking Number – Once you have your tracking number and have chosen your preferred tracking website, the next step is to insert the tracking number in the search or query box and click on track.
4. Find Status Updates – Finally, you will be redirected to a new page with relevant information about your shipment, including its location and estimated delivery time.

Line Haul Tracking Benefits

Line haul tracking offers several key benefits to shippers, carriers, and customers including the following.

• Carrier Integration – Line haul tracking websites are directly integrated with carriers (who track their vehicles, vessels & aircraft through various technologies), in order to provide real-time status updates. As a result, shippers, fleet managers, and customers can make quick decisions with direct data accessibility instead of using manual reports or other solutions to view the information, or simply get informed of when a shipment is going to arrive.

• Provides Shipment Visibility – Using line haul tracking websites, all parties can locate their shipments in transit and see which milestones have been completed. For instance, if a shipper’s cargo has multiple touchpoints, shippers can use tracking sites to determine its current and next stage and coordinate each touchpoint accordingly using dates and timestamps.

• Increases Customer Satisfaction – Providing real-time shipment updates offers customers the ability to see where their cargo is, and more importantly when it’s scheduled to arrive. For business-to-business shipments, shippers are able to make more proactive decisions related to carrier coordination or manage their customer’s expectations. Concurrently, customers are able to organize resources and track the progress of their cargo which would improve their overall service experience. 

Best Line Haul Tracking Websites

As mentioned above, there’s a wide array of online line haul tracking services that you can use free of charge. However, to make your tracking experience better, we have outlined the best tracking websites in the market today:

1. Tracking Status

• Link: Tracking Status
• Coverage: Nation & International
• References: Tracking Number
• Cost: Free

Tracking Status is arguably one of the most popular line haul tracking services offering domestic and international courier delivery status information. They also have a comment feature, where you can leave your questions, should you have any.

Apart from providing tracking for various renowned carriers and courier services, you can even find order statuses for KFC, NFL Shop, Fanatics, McDelivery, and the Disney Store, amongst various others.  

2. Express Tracking

• Link: Express Tracking
• Coverage: Nation & International
• References: Tracking Number
• Cost: Free

Express Tracking is another popular line haul tracking provider that allows sellers and buyers to track their consignments from when it’s shipped until it’s arrived at the final destination.

Its platform is integrated with hundreds of courier and logistics providers worldwide. Similar to the other solutions, you’ll just need to enter the tracking number to check the respective shipping statuses.

3. My Delivery Tracking

• Link: My Delivery Tracking
• Coverage: Nation & International
• References: Tracking Number
• Cost: Free

My Delivery Tracking is one of the few free line haul tracking websites that allows shippers to check up to 25 shipments in just one search using their tracking numbers. They are also integrated with a wide array of carriers and couriers that span over a hundred countries.

4. Delivery Track

• Link: Delivery Track
• Coverage: Nation & International
• References: Tracking Number
• Cost: Free

Delivery Track is one of the go-to tracking solutions for AliExpress, SnapDeal, and Express Courier. It allows users to get detailed information about their shipment’s location with date and timestamps. They also have a customer service hotline if you need further support or have additional queries.

5. Tracking Shipping

• Link: Tracking Shipping
• Coverage: Nation & International
• References: Tracking Number
• Cost: Free

Tracking Shipping is one of the world’s largest line haul tracking websites, having integrated with thousands of courier and shipping companies worldwide. To use this line haul tracking service, you simply need to type in your tracking number, and you’ll be granted access to your shipment’s location and estimated day and time of delivery.