How much is my operating cost per mile?

There is a simple answer to your question that is run it and see. Everyone's cost are different.

 

I run an intra-state flatbed in Florida, home every night, dedicated to several local shippers. I pay for everything to operate the truck.Fuel, insurance, tires,repairs,tags, telephone, etc.Truck is paid for. It cost me about $1.60 a hub mile last year, not quite 1,000 miles a week, average working 4 1/2 days a week. Revenue averaged slightly over $2.50 a hub mile.

 

You're not asking, but maybe you should. If you don't think of that as part of your cost per mile you will tend to think of it as profit when it's not, then when you need to replace you equipment or need a major repair all that "profit" goes down the drain if you saved it, and if you spent it you're out of business. It's different with a house. You don't usually have to replace a house during your lifetime.

By your own numbers you're making less than $50K a year. My hubs makes more than that as a company driver in Florida and he's home every day except once a week. Do you have enough savings for an overhaul with that income? What happens if your equipment gives up?

I'm not attacking you, please don't take it that way. Just giving you food for thought.

 

He has been at this long enough I figure he knows where he is in the game, and it's pretty close to where he wants to be

 

Those are close to my numbers average over the past 3 years working about 6-7 months per year. It paid in full for an in frame and a brand new trailer. I cut checks on both. It's not what you gross it's what you keep. I do need to step things up in the down times though. There is still money to be made in an off month just not as much. At his age with 39 years trucking probably everything he owns is paid for and likely wants for nothing. That is the life...

 

You guys are absolutely right... I didn't notice his age and years in business. It's a completely different game.

 

Hey blue guy.....just looking at your numbers I think your operating cost should be around +/-1.15 that leaves room for a fudge fund and the unknown things in trucking.

 

50k is enough for me to not have any authority telling me what or when I'm going to do something, lol.

 

By your own numbers you're making less than $50K a year. My hubs makes more than that as a company driver in Florida and he's home every day except once a week. Do you have enough savings for an overhaul with that income? What happens if your equipment gives up?



This are my thoughts. I worked an average of 4 1/2 days a week, for 50 weeks last year.Around 49,000 hub miles, clearing nearly a buck a mile, some in cash. Usually start about 7 am, finish around 4, at times later. Sometimes a Saturday, but I can refuse any load I do not want, take any day(s) off I want, vacation when I want, my own boss. Paid every week, pull a trailer owned by a shipper ( I keep it up ).Deliver to same friendly people, load at same friendly places every day.

I would not go back OTR again, unless I just have to. If I can clear over 45, 000 a year, and hardly work at it, I am a happy driver.We own several homes, have enough cash to retire any time we want,everything paid for.

Money ain't everything. I went into trucking because I like being my own boss.