Average miles ran per year

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by line3, Jan 25, 2018.

  1. bzinger

    bzinger Road Train Member

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    I've always run around 120k a year but on track for 130k this fiscal year .
     
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  3. TallJoe

    TallJoe Road Train Member

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    Miles are not money but that's a good common denominator. I can say, for instance, that an owner operator in his prime should have no problems to run 100k miles a year and maintain family life. If physically impaired, or some health issues, perhaps not as much.
     
    nightgunner Thanks this.
  4. line3

    line3 Bobtail Member

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    Thanks for the thought! I have considered the cost of business and my cash flow in a figure of dollars. For instance; truck payment, insurance, and all of the fixed expenses plus paying myself. Those are expenses that exist whether or not I am rolling. So, yes I do have a dollar amount figured that I need to earn per day/month/year, regardless of the miles. What about variable costs like fuel and maintenance? Costs that are dependent on how far the truck rolls?
     
  5. line3

    line3 Bobtail Member

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    Well my question asked specifically about miles but trust me, it's not all my financial plan revolves around. It's just one aspect that I know I need to take into account as a cost per mile thing. As in; how much is the truck itself costing me for every mile I put on it? (fuel/maintenance) Not necessarily how much can I earn per mile
     
  6. Ezrider_48501

    Ezrider_48501 Road Train Member

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    both time and rolling miles need to be considered in your rate. because yes you do have fixed expenses fixed expenses require a certain about of revenue. then your variable expenses are based off how many miles you run. running less miles may increase your cost per mile but less miles for more money may increase profits.

    if you do 1200 for the day but you only run 300 miles is going to be more profitable than 650 miles for the same $1200

    but if you only do $600 on 300 miles for one day may be less profitable than 1200 on 650.

    if that makes sense.
     
    branj5257 and line3 Thank this.
  7. line3

    line3 Bobtail Member

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    Yea, I think I see where you are going. Why run 650 miles for 1200 when I can run half the miles for the same amount. Less cost to the truck for the same money = larger gross margin
     
    Freddy57 Thanks this.
  8. mover man

    mover man Road Train Member

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    Answer to your question depends on LOTS of things. Believe it or not how old are you is one. But I would say a first year owner operator. Especially one with a family, and just coming out of the military. I would say no more than 8000 miles a month or 96,000 miles. But probably will be closer to 80,000.
     
    branj5257 Thanks this.
  9. mover man

    mover man Road Train Member

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    Now as for your plan. I don' want to bust your bubble but BOHICA. Never having been a driver before. Your going to need to learn how to drive, get your cdl. Then buy a truck, go thru all the riga moa of getting your own numbers. Finding an insurance company willing to insure a first year comany with a first year no experience driver. I am NOT in anyway saying it can' be done. But you have set some pretty #### hurdles for yourself. Just my opinion but I think you should. Pick one of the company' who offer free training. Go with them as a company driver for at least 9 months. That is enough time to experience driving. With all the hassles, and weather types, and wife is lonely, daddy why do you have to leave's. While still researching, and making contacts.if after that time you stI'll wanna do it. GO FOR IT!! Lastly rememer there are many of us prior military guys out here. Weed us out from the wanna bee's but never was guys. And pick our brains.
     
    branj5257 Thanks this.
  10. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    As said above - but 1st year - 100,000

    2nd year, 85,000 for the same revenue. . .

    3rd year . . . 70,000 . . . for the same revenue -

    you see where this is going, right?
     
    TripleSix and rollin coal Thank this.
  11. line3

    line3 Bobtail Member

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    Great advice that I plan to take. Already talked to a couple of flatbed companies; think shiny black and chrome petes and maroon freight shakers. Both will get me my CDL (with a 12 month commitment) and both training programs are GI Bill approved apprenticships. I highly agree that I need some experience before I jump into the deep end! Plus, like you said, it will give me time to see if the life on the road is for me. Ultimately though, I want to go out on my own if I decide to stay in the industry.

    I definitely plan on leveraging the experience of other drivers on here that have once been in my shoes. Thank you for your service and thanks for lookin out!
     
    blairandgretchen Thanks this.
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