If the stores you would be delivering to are an hour away , I would have a small van with a four cylinder engine.
My Dodge minivan 3 litre engine got about 35 mpg , so assuming an hours dive is about 50-60 miles , you could go there and back on about 4 gallons or less , probably much cheaper than paying a carrier.
Although you would have to figure in the cost of the vehicle and your time spent delivering.
But if it were to work into more sales eventually it would be well worth it , and you would be sure your product was delivered properly and on time.
It's also nice as a small business owner to establish personal contact with your buyers on a regular basis , and delivering yourself , gives you a chance to sell your product at other stores along the way.
You would have to sell enough to make it worthwhile though , but you have to start somewhere.
As a small business owner myself , that's how I would do it.
Cheers , Jim.