What it actually costs owner-operators to run each kind of truck — and how to find your own number in under a minute.
Your cost per mile (CPM) is the break-even line every load has to clear. It varies a lot by equipment: a reefer burns extra fuel running its cooling unit, a flatbed carries securement and tarping costs, and a non-CDL box truck has far lower payments and fuel burn than a Class 8 sleeper. The table below shows typical all-in CPM ranges (including the driver's own pay) for each equipment type in 2026, alongside recent national average spot rates for context.
| Equipment | Typical all-in CPM | Avg spot rate* | Why it differs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry van | $1.70 – $2.05 | ~$2.79 | The baseline; lowest specialized costs. |
| Reefer | $1.95 – $2.35 | ~$3.12 | Reefer-unit fuel + extra maintenance and washouts. |
| Flatbed | $1.85 – $2.25 | ~$3.60 | Straps, chains, tarps, and heavier/awkward freight. |
| Box truck (non-CDL) | $1.10 – $1.50 | ~$1.50 – $2.00 | Lower payment and fuel burn, but lower rates too. |
| Hotshot (1-ton + gooseneck) | $1.20 – $1.70 | ~$1.50 – $2.20 | Low fixed cost, smaller loads, more deadhead. Hotshot calculator → |
*National average spot rates including fuel surcharge, mid-2026. Ranges are TruckMargin estimates built from typical fixed costs (payment, insurance, permits), fuel at ~6.5 mpg, maintenance/tires, and owner pay. Estimates only — your lane, season, and equipment will move these.
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All-in CPM = (monthly fixed costs ÷ miles) + (diesel price ÷ mpg) + maintenance/tires per mile + your pay per mile. The biggest swing factors are your truck payment, your real fuel economy, and how many miles you actually run — fixed costs spread thinner the more you drive, which is why low-mileage months quietly raise your CPM.
The refrigeration unit burns its own diesel and needs separate maintenance, and reefer freight often involves washouts and stricter handling — adding roughly $0.15–$0.30/mi over an equivalent dry van.
Per mile, yes — lower payments and better fuel economy. But box-truck rates are also lower, so margins can be similar. Run your own numbers above.
Usually yes — a 1-ton hotshot runs about $1.20–$1.70/mi all-in versus $1.80–$2.20 for a Class 8, thanks to a smaller payment and better fuel economy. But hotshot loads are smaller and deadhead is higher, so margins are often tighter than the low cost per mile suggests. Work out your exact number with the hotshot cost-per-mile calculator.
Whatever beats your all-in CPM with margin to spare, measured per total mile (including deadhead). Use the load-profit calculator to check any specific load.