Money
What it really costs to start
Registration is cheap. Insurance, equipment and the 45-day gap before your first invoice pays are what actually determine whether you make it.
Startup line items
| Item | Typical cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| FMCSA operating authority (per authority type) | $300 | One time |
| BOC-3 process agent filing | $25 – $150 | One time |
| LLC formation + registered agent | $50 – $500 | One time + annual |
| Commercial insurance down payment | $2,000 – $6,000 | Then monthly |
| First-year insurance total (1 truck, $1M/$100k) | $8,000 – $20,000 | Annual |
| IRP apportioned plates | $500 – $3,000 | Annual, mileage based |
| IFTA license and decals | $0 – $100 | Annual |
| UCR (1–2 trucks) | ~$46 – $50 | Annual |
| Form 2290 heavy vehicle use tax | $100 – $550 | Annual |
| ELD hardware + subscription | $150 – $600 | Then $20–$50/mo |
| Drug & alcohol consortium enrollment | $150 – $300 per driver per year | Annual |
| Pre-employment drug test | $60 – $100 | Per driver |
| Used sleeper tractor | $25,000 – $70,000 | Purchase or finance |
| Working capital / fuel float | $5,000 – $15,000 | Reserve |
Realistic all-in cash to launch one truck without financing the tractor: $35,000–$90,000. Financing the truck with strong credit can get you started near $15,000–$25,000 in cash, but raises fixed monthly cost.
Monthly operating cost, one truck
| Expense | Range |
|---|---|
| Truck payment | $1,200 – $2,500 |
| Insurance | $800 – $1,700 |
| Fuel (10,000 mi at 6.5 mpg) | $5,500 – $6,500 |
| Maintenance reserve | $1,000 – $1,500 |
| Tires reserve | $300 – $500 |
| ELD, dispatch software, load board | $150 – $400 |
| Parking, tolls, scales, permits | $300 – $700 |
| Factoring fees (3% of $20k revenue) | ~$600 |
| Accounting and compliance services | $150 – $500 |
Cost per mile
Add every fixed and variable cost above and divide by the miles you actually run, not the miles you hope to run. A one-truck operation at 8,000–10,000 loaded miles a month typically lands between $1.65 and $2.10 per mile all-in. Anything you book below that number is a load you are paying to haul.