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Practical guides on load scoring, IFTA, taxes, broker vetting, and building a trucking business that actually works.

FundamentalsFeatured

What Is Rate Per Mile and Why Gross RPM Lies to You

Every dispatcher quotes gross rate per mile. Here's why that number is almost useless — and what to look at instead.

January 14, 2025·5 min readRead article →
Browse:FundamentalsIFTABusinessTaxesOperationsComplianceStrategy
Fundamentals

How to Calculate Your Real Cost Per Mile (Most Truckers Get This Wrong)

Your CPM is the foundation of every load decision you make. If it's wrong, every score is wrong.

January 28, 2025 · 6 min read
IFTA

IFTA Explained: What It Is, How It Works, and How to Stop Dreading It

IFTA filing trips up a lot of first-year owner-operators. Here's the whole thing explained plainly.

February 10, 2025 · 7 min read
Business

How to Read a Rate Confirmation (And What to Push Back On)

Rate cons have more leverage than most owner-operators use. Here's what to look for before you sign.

February 24, 2025 · 5 min read
Business

How to Vet a Broker Before You Book (5-Minute Checklist)

Getting stiffed on a load is a nightmare. Most of the risk is avoidable with 5 minutes of research.

March 7, 2025 · 4 min read
Taxes

Owner-Operator Taxes: What You Actually Need to Know

A plain-English breakdown of estimated taxes, deductions, and why your accountant needs to specialize in trucking.

March 21, 2025 · 8 min read
Operations

Deadhead Miles Are Bleeding You Dry (Here's How to Minimize Them)

Running empty is the most expensive thing you do. Most owner-operators accept it without fighting back.

April 4, 2025 · 5 min read
Compliance

ELDs for Owner-Operators: What You Need, What to Skip

The mandate is real and the fines are steep. Here's what actually matters when picking an ELD.

April 18, 2025 · 4 min read
Strategy

Spot Market vs. Contract Freight: Which Should You Be Running?

Contract freight offers stability. Spot market offers ceiling. Here's how to think about the tradeoff as an owner-operator.

May 2, 2025 · 6 min read
Strategy

You Bought a Truck. Now Build a Business, Not a Job.

Most owner-operators end up with a harder job than they left. The ones who make it think differently from day one.

May 16, 2025 · 7 min read
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