Youssef always dreamed of running his own trucking fleet. After saving for years, he bought his first truck. Business was moving—literally—but soon he realized he didn’t really know if he was making money. Fuel bills, repairs, and driver wages ate into revenue, and spreadsheets became confusing. That’s when he discovered the importance of unit economics in trucking: breaking down costs and profits per truck, per mile, and per load.
Why Unit Economics Matter
In trucking, success isn’t just about gross revenue. It’s about margins and efficiency. As Investopedia explains, unit economics measure profitability at the most granular level. For trucking, the “unit” can be a single truck or even a single mile driven.
Key Metrics Every Trucker Should Track
- Revenue per Mile: Total revenue ÷ miles driven. This shows how much money each mile generates.
- Cost per Mile: Add up fuel, maintenance, insurance, wages, and divide by miles driven. This reveals true operating costs.
- Gross Margin per Load: Revenue from a load minus direct expenses (fuel, tolls, driver pay).
- Fixed Costs: Truck payments, permits, insurance—costs that remain whether the truck moves or not.
Case Study: Youssef’s First Truck
Youssef ran 10,000 miles in his first month with the following numbers:
- Revenue: $25,000
- Fuel: $8,000
- Driver wages: $6,000
- Maintenance + repairs: $1,500
- Insurance + permits: $2,000
- Truck payment: $1,500
Revenue per Mile: $25,000 ÷ 10,000 = $2.50
Cost per Mile: ($19,000 ÷ 10,000) = $1.90
Profit per Mile: $0.60
Even small differences—like shaving $0.10 off fuel costs—could add up to thousands over the year.
FAQs
What’s a healthy profit margin in trucking?
Many fleets target 6–10% net margins, though it varies with fuel prices and market demand.
How do owner-operators calculate break-even miles?
Divide total fixed costs by profit per mile. This tells you how many miles you must drive to cover expenses.
Do larger fleets have better unit economics?
Often yes, because they get fuel discounts, bulk insurance rates, and higher bargaining power with shippers.
Take Action This Week
Track your last month’s revenue and costs. Calculate revenue per mile, cost per mile, and profit per mile. Knowing these numbers will tell you if you’re driving toward profit or just wearing out your tires.
Final Takeaway
Youssef realized trucking isn’t just about moving freight—it’s about mastering numbers. Once he understood his unit economics, he could plan growth with confidence. In trucking, the road to profit begins with knowing exactly what each mile is worth.
