Check My Numbers...Estimated Expenses for Owner Op

All these numbers are like trying to hit a moving target. There's so many factors that go into to determining what one's operating costs per mile are as an owner operator, there's no way one compare what mine are to the next person. It's apples and oranges.

I've said it before, if an individual is looking at becoming an owner operator based solely on how much more they can make over being a company driver, you probably shouldn't do it.

There's an intangible that can't be measured solely on numerical values.

 

Unrealistic..
You need to do more research on what lanes pay what rates. What "you need" is irrelevant to what the market determines is the going rate.

For this example you may get between 6000 and 8500 ca to NYC. Nj back to ca if you can even get a load is likely more in the 3500 ballpark...

 

drivers wage absolutely needs to be figured into your minimum rate. i just add what i would be getting paid working for someone else on top of my operating cost + my target profit margin for the truck. normally shoot for at least 40% above average operating cost to account for driver wage + truck profit. basically the same thing just two different ways of doing it....lol

 

i had typed out a couple paragraphs on that point when i was writing my last post and then decided i was getting way to long winded and cut that out.

i don't haul general freight so my situations can be a bit different, sometimes you have to change things up, do things you would rather not do go places you would rather not go to keep your margins where they should be. try to get the most you can out of every load you can. but there not going to pay you more if there 10 other trucks that are lined up willing to do the same load for less.

 

I'm not sure you know what it is like when it comes to starting and running a business.

Two different truck drivers in this thread. Company drivers and owner operators. If you make more money than you think you would being an O/O then more power too you. I now make more money than I did with being a company driver. It just takes a while to realize a profit. Its just like any other business.

 

I sort of half agree with you...

I have a handful of customers that keep me moving and I am booking usually up to a week ahead of time.. They give me steady good paying work and I give them on time pickup and delivery so they look good to their customer. Could they find someone to do it for less than me? Sure they could. Could I play the wait til last minute and squeeze them really hard? Wouldn't work out well for me since the area where I live there are endless cheapo trucking companies opening and closing every day. The new Canadians make that possible. Would they keep the account long term? Nope! Watched it happen a few times already. No big deal, have plenty to keep me moving and the account just passes hands and sometimes even falls directly in my lap.. didn't even have to work for it.

Edit. Add.
I forgot to also put in there it's a capacity thing also. When I say I will do the load for the agreed rate, I do it. If they cancel on me for someone cheaper, I remember that for next time. I don't cancel just because someone calls me and wants to pay me more. That isn't sustainable to me. If I'm doing nothing and I get the panic call...thats different

 

It always amuses me how the best thought out plans quickly fall to the wayside in this business. It's dynamic and you adapt on the fly. Plan on it.

 

MASSIVE difference between calling an audible on the fly to slightly tweaking your plan and running out blind with nothing but hopes.

 

Seen this first hand numerous times.