Rate my month! How did I do as an Owner Operator?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by God prefers Diesels, Sep 15, 2021.

  1. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    I was out longer than that, but these numbers are from when I left (8/5) to 9/7. Technically longer than a month, but I got trapped due to Labor Day. So that load could have been delivered within the window.

    Anyways, I made a lot of money, but was it good money? Yeah, we want to haul for the max possible, but I'm wondering if I'm running with the pack here, or if I'm falling short and need to up my negotiation skills. Am I working hard and not smart? Looking for the brass [#### you, gentleroger]. :p Don't be nice, I want the truth. This is my first time being out this long.

    This is flatbed (48' spread), load board spot market freight. Fuel price is shown after discounts.

    Out of eight loads during that time period, I tarped one of them.

    Edit: I ran Texas to Washington to New Hampshire. Two short loads on the Eastern Seaboard. Then from there to Arizona. California to Michigan. Ohio to Texas. So I criss crossed America.

    Trip.PNG
     
    Last edited: Sep 15, 2021
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  3. jackoboyo

    jackoboyo Light Load Member

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  4. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    I'm not hauling against my cost. I'm hauling to make the maximum gross possible. In other words, I don't base my negotiation against what I "need to make". If I were to do that, I could haul for far cheaper. Just looking to see how I'm comparing to everyone else.

    For example, if I'm averaging $3.00 per mile with a fixed cost of $1.50 per mile, I'm keeping 50%. If another guy is hauling for $2.00 per mile with a fixed cost of $0.50 per mile, he's keeping 75%. That's great! But my first question is why isn't he also hauling for $3.00 per mile. That's kind of the answer I'm looking to get. Am I doing good, or am I leaving money on the table.
     
  5. RedForeman

    RedForeman Momentum Conservationist

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    Disclaimer: I haul reefers, so relevant flatbed input will be from others.

    On what you've posted, I'd say you're doing ok. In my universe, not well enough to make it worth being away from home 5 weeks straight.

    I usually measure against daily rates when looking at a load, weekly totals when deciding if it was a good week or not.

    That said, you averaged $7,255 a week on 2,830 miles. That's not bad money, nor is the miles for a 7 day stretch. Breaking it down further by day, it's $1,036 on 404 miles. If I had to point out any room for improvement, it would be on rates. I know flatbed rates tend to track sort of close to reefer rates, and I shoot for a minimum of $1,200 a day and usually get and exceed it, more often than not. It would be up to you to decide if negotiation skill or putting your truck into tighter markets will pull that up.
     
  6. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    I too, shoot for a day rate. I had two unplanned 34's. One was like 48 hours, and the other close to 60. Really puts a damper on averages. Rate per mile is one thing. But if you take forever to get those miles, you'll be on Skid Row post haste!

    Thanks for the reply.
     
  7. TallJoe

    TallJoe Road Train Member

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    To compare rates, it is important to know that in Midwest/East Coast region, the toll cost is a huge factor. That's 10c-15c more to the cost per mile, so rates here should be reflecting it too.
    Also, the higher work volume, which is running more miles in order to achieve more gross the lesser pay per loaded mile tends to get.
    So someone who runs 1500 miles a week and grosses $5500 should not compare to someone who runs 2500 and gets $7400 - which would bring more net but with substantially more effort.

    As far as knowing if you are underachieving or not as compared to others...it is too difficult to assess based on people who run in different areas. You can compare averages on DAT for the last 15 days or Truckstop.com loadboard.
     
  8. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    I edited the OP to reflect the running area. This trip, I almost avoided all tolls. I didn't realize 44 through Oklahoma was a toll road until I got trapped on it, but on the way back I knew better and avoided that road. I did manage to spend less than $100 in tolls this trip.

    Absolutely. You're basically talking diminishing returns. And there is a line I'm sure you don't want to cross before it's basically not worth it.

    I don't plan on staying out this long all the time. It just sorta...happened. One load ran into another, and before I knew it, I was gone like 39 days.
     
  9. RedForeman

    RedForeman Momentum Conservationist

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    Rate per mile is great for measuring costs. Rate per day is how you measure opportunity.
     
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  10. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    $10.00 per mile is great. But if it's only 50 miles per day, you're going to have a difficult time supporting fixed costs and feeding your family. I look at day rate as how much money I'm "actually making". Rate per mile doesn't tell nearly the same story as your actual bank account balance.

    If you want to elaborate on what you're talking about (if it's different than how I look at it), I'd love to hear it.
     
  11. SteveScott

    SteveScott Road Train Member

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    I'd say you're on par with most O/O's with similar equipment and running similar miles. Personally if I had to stay out 39 days straight I'd be looking to put a gun to my head. I'm just not cut out for being on the road for more than a few nights at a time at my age. But I've found a niche that allows me to run a lot fewer miles for a much higher return, so it works for me. Two years ago nobody was making this kind of money, so lets all enjoy it for as long as it lasts. I'm still planning on retiring before year end, so we'll see if I can actually pull it off, or if the lure of great money will keep sucking me back in.
     
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