Few questions

the American Trucking Association annual survey of member carriers reports that their cost to run a truck is $1.68/mile if you are not getting at least this much you are loosing money, the figure includes driver wages and all cost to run a truck

 

well their costs including paying their drivers and dispatchers etc etc also
If I knock out 3000 miles at $1.68 I know I'd be looking at about $2800 after fixed and fuel costs.

 

How much you earn is totally up to you and how you work the system.
When you lease a new truck.. when you factor ALL fixed costs including maintenance account money you're looking at about $1100.

Since I've been on here I've seen drivers that drive all over post averages $1.50-$1.60
Northeast regional drivers post averages of $1.80+
All while getting the miles.
I've had week driving 2100-2300 miles but at over $2.20 all mile just mainly doing short loads.
It all depends.

To give a run of the mill general conservative number for working a 7 day week here we go:

2800 miles at $1.55
$4340 in revenue
- $1000 in fuel at 7.2 MPG at $2.50 per gallon
-$1100 in fixed costs
= $2240

That's as a solo driver
Now remember when you take time off you're paying for that.

Say if you work 3 weeks and take a week off at those numbers.
$6,720 after 3 weeks minus $1100 for the week you're taking off brings you to an average of $5,620 over a 4 week period while taking a week off.
That comes to what.. earning an average of $1,405 a week or $73,060 a year running a schedule of 2800 miles a week at $1.55 for 3 weeks and taking a full week off for the year.
Everybody's tax situation is different so I don't get into that. However remember you get per diem as an OTR driver which means lots of money coming back to you

That's one example.. you can work more and get higher rates if you want to. Or work less.
It's all on you.

As far as why don't people like NY? I don't think I even need to answer that... if you've ever driven there you'd know why.
I have an xbox in my truck so it can be done.
TV is not as important to be as I can view whatever I want on my computer.

 

no, the truck itself is in the $700 range per week.
We're talking a brand new $150,000 truck here.
There is other fixed costs involved in running a truck and that's where you see the higher number I posted.

 

To reach that number you'd have to run a team operation and not take much time off.