Freight lanes in Texas

I've got a truck (2006 Volvo vnl with sleeper 765k miles) I've inherited from a uncle that just died and am trying to figure out the best way for me with my particular needs can use it to make a living. I'm not a new driver have been driving for some years and have pulled several different kinds of freight (flat bed, hopper bottom, dry van, reefer, tanker, bull hauler etc) I live in the Waco, Texas area which is around 80 miles south of Dallas 70 miles north of Austin, and 200 miles north west of Houston. I'm trying to get some idea of what freight would be good to haul in my area and thus maybe be able to narrow down my search of what company to lease onto. I do not have my own authority yet so for now am looking into leasing my truck onto a company to use there authority. I do not want to run otr as I have a family and do not want to be away from them very long if at all possible. I was thinking if I could get access to a load board I could use that to figure out what freight is running in my area but when I go to the load boards they want me to get a membership that cost money so is there any way to look at what loads are moving in my area with out having to get a membership? Just brainstorming and trying to get my ducks in a row which would make going forward obviously a bit easier.

 

Oh and my bills are low. they come to around 2500 a month personal bills that is electricity, phone, water, groceries, gas etc.. so i would need to bring home around $625 a week for personal expenses give or take..

 

Ok, I'll check them out. Thanks.

 

Thanks, we didn't really know each other all that well, but it is sad.

Right, I do understand there other expenses other then a truck payment you have to consider and was hoping that I could lease onto a company that would help with those upfront not that it's absolutely necessary just would save me from having to save that much more money upfront.

And yes the truck being what it is is one of my main concerns as you said with the repairs that will inevitably come, of course these would come anyways with any truck regardless of whether your making a payment on it or not as I'm sure your aware of.

In my particular case making a crap ton of profit is not at the top of my list of motivators but more just being more free and less at the mercy of a company that goes through drivers like underwear and treats them similarly.

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.

 

Right I didn't really think about that the fact that if it's made it to 765k it should make it for a bit longer, but I'm thinking about changing out the transmission fluid, axle gear fluid, power steering fluid and the coolant. In another words give it a basic tune up.

A lot of people have mentioned Landstar but I was thinking a smaller local company that deals specifically in our area would be a better fit but Landstar could be local as for as I know haven't really looked into it much. The going consensus from what I can tell is that a smaller family based company is always the better choice if they can get you the runs you need that is.