TRUCKING BLOG

Rates have risen quickly, and the headline numbers look better than they have in years. But the number on the load board and the margin in your pocket aren't the same thing this time around. For the past three years, carriers were stuck in a brutal squeeze. Rates fell from pandemic highs, freight demand softened, and operating costs climbed. The result was one of the most difficult margin environments the industry has ever seen. Some carriers exited the market, and the surviv

Many owner-operators see a high rate per mile and immediately jump on it without thinking about costs. Knowing your costs is one of the most important parts of running a successful trucking business. For owner-operators, the goal is not just to know your cost per mile. The goal is to use your numbers to know if you are operating as efficiently as possible, and staying profitable. To do that, focus on three numbers: Fixed cost per day Variable cost per mile Contribution margi

After years of a struggling freight market, 2026 appears to be a turnaround year, getting off to a strong start. At the same time, spiking fuel prices are colliding into trucking’s momentum. It’s shaping up to be a very interesting year. In this article, we’ll dig into the latest numbers and answer questions, including: What does the crackdown and enforcement on illegal capacity really mean? What are the latest trends for owner-operator miles, rates, fuel costs, maintenance,

Missing a tax deadline can happen, especially for owner-operators who are busy running their businesses. However, what matters most is what you do next. Filing your tax return as soon as possible after the deadline can significantly reduce the penalties and interest that build up over time. The longer you wait, the more expensive the situation becomes. When a taxpayer misses the deadline and owes taxes, the IRS generally applies two different penalties: the failure to file pe

Find out how to manage rising fuel costs in your owner-operator business

If you’re an owner-operator, you don’t have to go far to find bad tax advice. It shows up at the fuel island, in Facebook groups, in carrier breakrooms, and from other drivers who mean well but are usually speaking from personal experience rather than actual tax rules. Unfortunately, bad tax advice has a way of costing truck drivers real money, often months or years after it was followed. Below are six of the most common examples we hear every tax season and why they should n