OnTrac Takes on FedEx and UPS with Innovative Coast-to-Coast Delivery Solutions

At Gain Consulting, we’re always excited to share insights on the evolving logistics landscape, especially when innovative solutions emerge to empower e-commerce businesses. On September 9, 2025, super regional parcel carrier OnTrac announced a bold move to compete with industry giants FedEx and UPS by unveiling three new coast-to-coast delivery services: OnTrac Express, OnTrac Ground Essentials, and 7-Day Play.

These services are designed to help e-commerce merchants strike the perfect balance between speed, cost, and reliability, addressing key pain points for online retailers and their customers. Let’s dive into what this means for the industry and how Gain Consulting can help you leverage these advancements.

OnTrac’s Game-Changing Services

According to a recent FreightWaves article by Eric Kulisch, OnTrac’s new offerings aim to prevent e-commerce merchants from losing sales by catering to shoppers who weigh delivery speed against cost. Here’s a breakdown of the services:

• OnTrac Express: A hybrid air-ground service offering faster, more affordable coast-to-coast delivery compared to traditional air express options. This is ideal for merchants needing quick delivery without the premium price tag.

• OnTrac Ground Essentials: A deferred delivery option tailored for non-urgent, large-scale shipments. This cost-effective service targets businesses looking to optimize shipping expenses for bulk or less time-sensitive orders.

• 7-Day Play: An AI-powered service leveraging seven-day operations to predict delivery times and boost order conversion rates. By offering precise delivery windows and weekend fulfillment, this service taps into consumer demand for flexibility and reliability.

OnTrac’s delivery network already spans 35 states and Washington, D.C., covering over 70% of the U.S. population. With these new services, the carrier is positioning itself as a formidable competitor to FedEx and UPS, particularly for merchants with limited fulfillment centers who need diverse delivery options.

Why This Matters for E-Commerce Merchants

OnTrac’s announcement comes with a compelling study highlighting the untapped potential of predictive delivery dates, seven-day delivery, and weekend fulfillment. These features are linked to higher order conversion and repeat purchase rates—yet many online retailers underutilize them. By addressing these gaps, OnTrac empowers merchants to:

• Increase Sales: Shoppers are more likely to complete purchases when they see clear, reliable delivery timelines, especially with options for weekend delivery.

• Reduce Costs: Ground Essentials offers a budget-friendly alternative for non-urgent shipments, helping businesses manage logistics expenses.

• Compete Nationally: With expanded coast-to-coast coverage, smaller retailers can now rival larger players without relying solely on national carriers.

However, opinions in the industry are mixed. Some experts, as noted by Kulisch, praise OnTrac’s expansion strategy for challenging FedEx and UPS. Others, like Satish Jindel of ShipMatrix, argue that OnTrac should focus on its regional last-mile delivery strengths, as competing nationally may stretch its capabilities. Regardless, OnTrac’s move signals a shift toward more flexible, cost-conscious delivery solutions—a trend that aligns with Gain Consulting’s mission to optimize logistics for our clients.

How Gain Consulting Can Help

At Gain Consulting, we specialize in navigating the complexities of logistics to drive efficiency and profitability for your business. With OnTrac’s new services, e-commerce merchants have an opportunity to diversify their shipping strategies and capture more market share. Here’s how we can support you:

• Strategic Carrier Selection: Our team, including experts like Brandon Goodenough (Truckload Manager) and Laura Jay (Director of Truckload), can analyze your shipping needs and integrate OnTrac’s new services into your logistics plan, alongside carriers like FedEx and UPS, to optimize speed and cost.

• Data-Driven Insights: Our Analytics Manager, Erin Burch, and Director of Client Software Solutions, Dylan Cue, can leverage tools like our Gain Data Center (GDC) to analyze shipping data and identify trends that align with OnTrac’s predictive delivery capabilities, boosting conversion rates.

• Invoice and Claims Management: Our Carrier Invoice Receivables team, including Andrea Mattos-Arevalo and Kellie Haeberlein, ensures accurate invoice processing and dispute resolution, helping you manage costs with OnTrac or any carrier.

• Customized Solutions: Whether you’re a midsize retailer or a large enterprise, our Account Managers, like Megan Siebert and Sarah Wieberg, work closely with clients like Core & Main and Medco to tailor logistics solutions that incorporate new services like OnTrac Ground Essentials.

  
  

The Bigger Picture

OnTrac’s expansion reflects a broader shift in the parcel delivery market, where regional carriers and private fleets (like Amazon and Walmart) are eroding the dominance of FedEx and UPS. As reported by FreightWaves, U.S. parcel volumes hit a record 23.8 billion in 2024, yet traditional carriers are losing market share to innovative competitors. OnTrac’s new services, set to roll out fully by early 2026, position it to capture a growing segment of this market, particularly for merchants seeking cost-effective, flexible delivery options.

Let’s Optimize Your Logistics

The introduction of OnTrac’s coast-to-coast services is a game-changer for e-commerce businesses looking to stay competitive. At Gain Consulting, we’re here to help you navigate these changes and implement solutions that drive results. Whether you’re exploring OnTrac’s new offerings or optimizing your existing carrier relationships, our team is ready to partner with you.

Contact us today to learn how we can enhance your logistics strategy and help you capitalize on opportunities like OnTrac’s innovative services. Visit our website or reach out to our Director of Sales, Trey Hanks, to discuss how we can support your business.

Source: FreightWaves, “OnTrac challenges FedEx, UPS with cross-country delivery services,” Eric Kulisch, September 9, 2025.OnTrac Press Release: OnTrac Announces Ground Essentials Service Ahead of Early 2026 Rollout