Lane Rate per mile check?

I don't use any rate checking sites. My personal rule is no less than $2/mile on anything over 600 miles. On top of that, I'll just hop on Truckstop and see what similar loads are being posted for that day. If I have a 1000 mile run and brokers are posting for less than $2000, my rate is still $2000. If I see some posted for $2200 or so, I'll quote $2500 and negotiate from there but don't go less than $2200 because that what I can get with someone else.

Another thing to keep in mind is where the load is going. I can find Seattle to Denver loads for $3000 all day long but I don't take them because Denver never has anything good coming out. I think about round trip totals, not just getting as much as possible one way then dirt coming back.

 

Why not quote for 4 going there so you can bounce home or to a better market ?

 

I just don't see how you'd get $2 or more per mile for all miles. You might get $2 mile going to Denver but then get load to Chicago for $1.65 and get load from chicago to Liys Angeles for $1.80. You just dont get these magical $2+ loads everywhere you go.

 

There isn't any resource that I know of, to serve as a benchmark. You may ask this or that guy, DAT loadboard has the 90 day average to give an idea. However, everyone's situations is different, more or less demanding. The factors are truck payments, mortgage, insurance, all life and business expenses in general. For someone 2 bucks a mile on 100K miles a year might mean less than 1.60 per mile on the same mileage volume for me. I would, of course, want to be paid 3$ per mile but even with 1.6 per mile I will live my life. Everyone needs to know what their minimum is and always aim higher.

 

I'm normally at $2 for all odometer miles leased to a company. What are you doing wrong?

 

Are you oversize or a stepdeck with maximum 85K miles per year? With a dry van you run more miles for a lesser rate. Nothing wrong; easier job for less money.

 

I run about 6 oversize loads a year. 80-90k miles. I was a doorswinger for many years. If I hadn't moved back to FL, I might still be. My point is, if you're not averaging $2 a mile on your own, you'd probably be better off leasing to someone. Your body is only going to drive so many miles in its lifetime, I want to maximize the revenue for every one of those miles that I can.

 

Yeah that's why I rarely go to Denver. I'm averaging almost $3 on all miles for my last 100k miles. Like @fortycalglock said, if you're not averaging 2 on your own, you should just lease to someone.

 

I call BS.