Day in the Life of a FedEx Contractor
One of the most common questions new investors ask is, “What does a typical day look like for a FedEx Ground route owner?” While the level of involvement varies depending on the size and maturity of the business, all successful contractors understand the importance of setting daily systems in motion—even if they’re not in the driver’s seat themselves.
In this blog, we walk through what a typical day looks like for both hands-on owner-operators and hands-off business owners in the FedEx Ground space, helping you determine what ownership might look like for you.
Start of the Day: Terminal Operations
P&D Owners
Pickup & Delivery operations begin early—often between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM—at the FedEx terminal. During this time:
Packages are being sorted and loaded onto trucks.
Drivers are assigned their routes and conduct vehicle safety checks.
The contractor or manager ensures all vehicles and team members are accounted for and ready to dispatch.
For hands-on owners, this means being at the terminal to oversee the operation, solve last-minute issues, and confirm successful dispatch.
Linehaul Owners
For Linehaul operations, routes often start late at night or in the early morning hours, depending on hub-to-hub schedules. These runs are more structured, with fewer day-to-day changes, and often require Class A-CDL drivers.
Hands-off Linehaul owners often manage schedules remotely and monitor route performance through tracking systems and terminal feedback.
Mid-Day: Business Oversight and Problem Solving
Once trucks are dispatched, the middle part of the day varies depending on your role.
Hands-On Owners:
Handle route adjustments due to traffic, weather, or missed pickups.
Support drivers with package delivery issues or route rerouting.
Track real-time metrics and communicate with terminal staff.
Manage payroll, maintenance, or operational planning.
Hands-Off Owners:
Check in with a team lead or operations manager.
Review driver performance or safety reports.
Monitor revenue via FedEx weekly settlement data.
Address escalated issues if the team requires additional support.
Fleet and Maintenance Management
Throughout the day, contractors must ensure their vehicles are:
Properly maintained
Compliant with safety standards
Ready for the next delivery cycle
Fleet management may include coordinating routine maintenance, responding to breakdowns, and preparing replacement vehicles when needed. This is especially important for Linehaul owners, where downtime can significantly impact route profitability.
End of Day: Wrap-Up and Reporting
P&D Wrap-Up:
Most routes return to the terminal by early to mid-afternoon. Drivers check in any undelivered packages, complete required paperwork, and report on any route issues. Owners often:
Review stop completion reports
Prepare for next-day dispatch
Address driver concerns or coaching needs
Review operational metrics from the day
Linehaul Wrap-Up:
Linehaul owners review performance data, check driver logs, and ensure that long-haul trucks have completed their trips on schedule. In many cases, this monitoring happens remotely through tracking software.
Week at a Glance: Strategic Oversight
While the day-to-day varies, FedEx owners also make time each week to focus on:
Payroll and administrative tasks
Compliance updates and safety training
Hiring, onboarding, or recruiting drivers
Forecasting future volume or fleet needs
Reviewing weekly FedEx settlement statements
Owners who build systems around these responsibilities can scale their operation, remove themselves from daily tasks, and eventually prepare their business for resale.
Final Thoughts
A day in the life of a FedEx route owner depends heavily on your business size, staffing model, and personal goals. Some owners prefer to stay involved in daily operations, while others structure their team and systems to allow for a more passive role.
At Route Consultant, we help new and existing contractors build operational models that support efficiency, growth, and long-term value. Whether you're looking to run routes yourself or hire a manager to do it for you, there’s a path to ownership that fits your lifestyle. Ready to take the next step? Browse Available Routes for Sale.
Want to Learn More?
For a comprehensive understanding of FedEx Ground routes, consider enrolling in our FedEx Ground Routes 101 Course. This course provides foundational knowledge to help you decide if investing in logistics routes aligns with your goals.
