Which is better: percentage of load or pay by mile?

Horse a piece. Hourly is the only way to go. Good luck finding that today.

 

It all depends.

 

If it's short haul or mostly "regional" freight, chances are, percentage may be a better option only because it pays better (per mile) and has the added benefit of keeping you close to home for weekends.

If it's mostly long haul (1,200 + miles) runs, those generally are billed at a lower per-mile rate and mileage may be better.

Either way, this assumes fair rates being offered to the driver and not crap rates.

 

Personally, I prefer percentage. Then again, I prefer the short hauls which typically average better rate per mile due to the more frequent loading and unloading. Percentage works IF the freight is paying a decent rate...and if that rate isn't enough for me to average what I need per mile or per hour, I don't pull it.

Per mile works for those who don't want to have to think about all of that, just put as many miles as they can into their back pocket. Works better for longer hauls, where nearly all of your time on the load is spent between point A and B, not at points A and B as might be the case on shorter hauls.

As a company driver, it probably doesn't make a difference...and if you don't have the ability to decline a load that doesn't pay enough, then mileage might be better for you. If you own the truck, per mile is a great way to wear out your truck hauling cheap (to you) freight that makes the carrier rich...because they are pocketing everything they are getting from their customers above and beyond that rate.