booked my first load

Good luck. I'd be interested to know the per mile rate on hub miles, and your average per mile with your load back out of ME.

 

Well, good luck to you.

First, you are about to learn why you need to plan two or three steps ahead as to where you're going, how far you might have to deadhead to get to your next load after you drop the first one, AND once you reload again, where you want to go so that you can reload again - all while not losing your ### while doing it.

If you only plan on going into an area, and you don't know what freight is coming out...you could wind up making $2.00/mile on your loaded miles, but deadheading out 500 miles...and then what did you make?

As far as load boards, I've had pretty good luck with Internet Truckstop. I've tried them all, but Internet Truckstop and Trucker's Edge are the two I thought were best. I would log in and see what's going on in Maine for you, but I pay month to month and I let mine lapse at the end of November since I'm taking off December and the first two weeks of January.

IF you haven't already, make sure you get Quikbooks or a trucker-friendly accountant and stay on top of your books/receipts from the get go. You have to know what is coming in and going out so you can continually improve your business.

PLease be careful out there...the weather is a major factor right now. Make sure you have good winter clothes, a sleeping bag and blankets in the bunk, some food, water, etc., in case you get stuck somewhere.

God Bless!

 

You should be able to get out of Maine....might have to run down to Boston or over to NH to get something. Don't be afraid to stay in a region for a little while doing short hops. Dont always be looking for big miles. Be looking for steady work and low deadhead miles. You will figure out the good lanes in time. Good luck

 

you might wind up in a bit of a pickle in ME. What might be good for you is to look for loads ending in CA (assuming you want to return to CA). Figure out where you can get a decent rate back to CA FROM, and then find a load from Maine to wherever that is.

I will give you a few more tips

don't let the gross $$ fool you, it's meaningless. As a rule of thumb, subtract the miles from the rate to give you a little better idea of net $$, just put gross out of your mind altogether.

I generally get best rates from load boards in the late afternoon, it's barely worth messing with the boards before 1pm IMO, unless you are willing to go cheap. The best situation is if you don't mind waiting til the next day, that way you can call on many loads and demand a high rate, remember to leave your number, if they can't find someone for their price they may just call you back. If you don't get a load booked that day, don't be frustrated, you just gained valuable knowledge about rates out of that area.

good luck to you

 

I've been tracking your posts, glad to see you booked your first load. I personally can't help you on your next load but I can tell you to be Super careful. Winter is the Devils weather. I drive from NJ to Cali weekly and the past 2 weeks, especially this past week we're just awful. I've seen so many accidents but not as many as I saw this past week. Trucks were on shoulder on their sides facing East on the west bound side.

Good luck to you!