Guides
Practical guides for truckers who run their own operation
No filler. Straight answers on cost per mile, IFTA filing, rate negotiations, getting paid by brokers, and choosing software that doesn't cost more than your insurance.
DAT vs. Truckstop: Which Load Board Is Right for Your Fleet
DAT One and Truckstop.com compared for owner-operators and small fleets: network size, rate data, broker vetting, pricing tiers, and which fits your operation.
August 12, 2026 · 9 min read
DOT Number vs MC Number: What Each One Actually Means
USDOT number and MC number explained: who needs which, how they differ, how to apply through FMCSA, and the mistakes new owner-operators make.
August 12, 2026 · 8 min read
ELD Compliance for Small Carriers: What FMCSA's 2026 Enforcement Shift Means for You
FMCSA moved from warnings to out-of-service orders in 2026. Check your ELD against the registered list before your next inspection.
August 10, 2026 · 10 min read
IFTA Fuel Tax by State: How Rates Work and Why They Differ
IFTA fuel tax by state explained: what sets each jurisdiction's rate, how the net gallons calculation uses it, and a real illustrative rate snapshot.
July 25, 2026 · 9 min read
Trucking Dispatch Software: The Complete Buyer's Guide
Trucking dispatch software explained: what it does, who needs it, typical pricing, and how to evaluate options for owner-operators and small fleets.
July 25, 2026 · 8 min read
IFTA Sticker and IFTA License: How to Register Your Truck
How to get your IFTA sticker and IFTA license before you ever file a return: registration steps, decal placement, cost, and what to have ready.
July 24, 2026 · 8 min read
Software for Trucking Companies: A Complete Guide
A practical guide to the software for trucking companies actually need: dispatch, IFTA, accounting, factoring, and ELD, with real monthly cost ranges.
July 24, 2026 · 8 min read
How to Calculate Rate Per Mile in Trucking
How to calculate rate per mile trucking: build an all-in rate from linehaul plus fuel surcharge, set a target rate, and factor in deadhead miles.
July 23, 2026 · 8 min read
Freight Rates Per Mile in 2026: Benchmarks by Equipment
See 2026 freight rates per mile by equipment type, dry van, reefer, flatbed and more, plus what actually moves rates and how to use a benchmark correctly.
July 23, 2026 · 9 min read
Factoring for Trucking Companies: How It Works
A plain-English guide to factoring for trucking companies: how it works, recourse vs non-recourse, typical fees, and when it's worth the cost.
July 22, 2026 · 9 min read
How to Become an Owner Operator Truck Driver
A practical, step-by-step look at how to become an owner operator truck driver: experience, MC authority, insurance, financing, and your first loads.
July 22, 2026 · 11 min read
Best Factoring Company for Trucking: A Buyer's Checklist
How to find the best factoring company for trucking: the criteria that actually matter, red flags to avoid, and a worked example comparing two offers.
July 21, 2026 · 8 min read
How to Start a Trucking Business With One Truck
A realistic, month-by-month look at how to start a trucking business with one truck: real startup costs, authority timelines and your first invoice.
July 21, 2026 · 10 min read
Trucking Accounting Software vs QuickBooks
Is QuickBooks enough for trucking, or do you need trucking accounting software? What it handles well, and where the gaps are.
July 20, 2026 · 7 min read
How to Start Hot Shot Trucking: A Practical Guide
Learn how to start hot shot trucking: the CDL/GVWR rules, authority, insurance, trailer choice, startup costs, and where to find hot shot loads.
July 20, 2026 · 10 min read
Best Trucking Invoice Software: 4 Types Compared for 2026
Trucking invoice software comes in four flavours. Here's who each one fits, what it costs you, and how to pick without wasting a month on the wrong tool.
July 19, 2026 · 7 min read
How an IFTA Calculator Works (And How to Use It Well)
See what an IFTA calculator actually does with your mileage and fuel data, and how to check its numbers before you file your quarterly return.
July 19, 2026 · 8 min read
Truck Driver Pay Per Mile Calculator: How CPM Pay Works
How truck driver pay per mile is worked out, what a fair cents-per-mile rate looks like by experience and route, and how to check your own numbers.
July 19, 2026 · 7 min read
Detention Pay in Trucking: How to Actually Get Paid for Wait Time
Drivers lose up to $19,000 a year to unpaid detention. Here's what counts, what to charge, and the paperwork that gets brokers to pay it in 2026.
July 17, 2026 · 9 min read
Dry Van Rates Per Mile in 2026: What to Charge and Why
Dry van spot rates just overtook contract rates for the first time since 2022. Here's what the market actually pays per mile in 2026, and how to set your own floor.
July 15, 2026 · 9 min read
How to Calculate Your Trucking Cost Per Mile
Cost per mile is the one number every owner-operator must know cold. How to calculate it, what to include, and how to avoid hauling loads at a loss.
June 25, 2026 · 9 min read
How to File IFTA: A Step-by-Step Quarterly Guide for Owner-Operators
How to file IFTA each quarter: track mileage and fuel by jurisdiction, calculate net gallons owed, and submit your return on time.
June 20, 2026 · 10 min read
What Is a Good Rate Per Mile in 2026? Van, Reefer, and Flatbed Compared
Spot rates shift week to week, but the logic behind a profitable load stays the same. Here is how to judge whether a rate is worth hauling in 2026.
June 15, 2026 · 8 min read
How to Read a Rate Confirmation and Spot a Bad Load
The rate con is a binding contract. Know what it must contain, how to read the rate line, and which red flags mean you should walk away.
June 10, 2026 · 8 min read
Deadhead Miles: What They Cost You and How to Cut Them
Deadhead miles cost fuel, tires, and hours of service for zero revenue. Here is how to calculate the real cost and run fewer of them.
June 5, 2026 · 8 min read
How to Start a Trucking Company and Get Your Own Authority
The real steps to get your MC number, DOT number, and operating authority, plus what it actually costs and how long it takes.
May 31, 2026 · 10 min read
Owner-Operator vs Company Driver: The Real Math
The gross numbers look better as an owner-operator. The net is more complicated. An honest owner-operator vs company driver comparison with real numbers.
May 26, 2026 · 9 min read
Fuel Surcharge Explained: How FSC Works and How to Calculate It
Fuel surcharges vary by broker and shipper. Here is how FSC is calculated, the diesel index it uses, and how to check you're paid correctly.
May 21, 2026 · 8 min read
Best Dispatch Software for Small Trucking Companies: What to Look For
Legacy TMS platforms cost thousands a month and are built for fleets of 50+. Here is what small carriers actually need in 2026.
May 16, 2026 · 9 min read
Flatbed Rates Per Mile: What to Charge and Why
Flatbed pays a premium over dry van, but only if you understand the extra costs it's meant to offset. Here's how to price flatbed loads correctly.
May 11, 2026 · 8 min read
Reefer Rates Per Mile and the True Cost of Running Cold
Reefer pays more than dry van, but the extra costs are real. Here is what drives reefer rate per mile and whether the premium is worth it for you.
May 6, 2026 · 9 min read
How to Invoice a Broker and Get Paid Faster
What belongs on a freight invoice, when to send it, and how net-30, quick-pay, and factoring compare for cash flow.
May 1, 2026 · 9 min read
Put your back-office in the cab
Free for one truck, no card to start. Be dispatching loads in five minutes.