Own op or company drive

If you can't answer that question for yourself, then the answer for you is company driver.

 

Only you know whats right for you. I can tell you that as an O/O or lease operator you have a lot of expenses that you aren't going to think about up front. Along with the truck payment, fuel, tolls, escrow, maintenance, bobtail insurance and taxes you still have to pay for your own health insurance and save all the money for your retirement plus pay yourself if there is any left from that .98 cpm. Can it be done sure but you have to be a business man and a truck driver.

 

That's what I meant to say

 

cost of running a truck today is pretty dang close to $1.00 a mile if not a little more; that's without driver pay in there.

 

It all depends on how you run. I get 7.5-8mpg, and have a less expensive truck. My cost to operate is a little over $.80/mi and I get just under $1.3/mi. I make about .40/mi after everything but my own paycheck. Not the best, but I'm still a rookie. As fuel costs go up, so does my margin, thanks to the fuel surcharge. I wouldn't recommend this to most newbies, but I've run businesses before, and I know how to keep costs down.

 

How many miles/wk are you basing that from? The more miles driven, the lower the cost per mile.

 

As a new driver, NO do not lease! Drive company for at least a year until you have gained some experience and are more refined in your driving. Until then keep track of every single little thing you do as if you were owner op. Then see how you do. You will know exactly where you stand and know if its worth it or not. Also while you are driving company maybe take some business courses or get some CD's to listen to about owning your own business. If you do decide to lease make sure to write up a business plan and also exit strategy. Failure to do so will result in chaos.