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Trucking Profit & Loss Calculator

Q: What is a profit and loss statement for trucking?

A trucking profit and loss (P&L) statement shows all your revenue from hauling loads minus all your operating expenses — fuel, truck payment, insurance, maintenance, dispatch fees, and more. The result is your net profit, which tells you exactly how much money your trucking business is actually making.

Q: What is a good profit margin for an owner-operator?

A healthy profit margin for an owner-operator is 20-30%. Below 15% is concerning because one bad month (breakdown, accident, slow freight) can push you into the red. Above 30% is excellent and means your business is well-optimized. Track your P&L monthly to stay on target.

Q: How much should I set aside for quarterly taxes?

Most owner-operators should set aside 25-30% of their net profit for quarterly estimated taxes. Payments are due April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Failing to make estimated payments can result in IRS penalties. Use a separate savings account to avoid spending your tax money.

Q: What are the biggest expenses for owner-operators?

The biggest expenses for most owner-operators are: fuel (typically 25-35% of gross revenue), truck payment or lease (15-25%), insurance (8-12%), maintenance and repairs (5-10%), and dispatch or broker fees (5-10%). Together these five categories usually account for 70-85% of total expenses.

See your complete P&L statement. Enter your loads, rates, and expenses to calculate net profit, profit margin, and estimated quarterly taxes.

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Quick Answer

A trucking profit and loss (P&L) statement equals total revenue from your loads minus every operating expense — fuel, truck payment, insurance, maintenance, and dispatch fees. The result is your net profit, and net profit divided by revenue is your profit margin. Aim for a 20-30% margin and set aside 25-30% of net profit for quarterly taxes.

Key Takeaways

Net profit = total load revenue minus all operating expenses (fuel, truck payment, insurance, maintenance, and dispatch/broker fees).
Profit margin is net profit divided by revenue; 20-30% is healthy, below 15% is a warning sign, and above 30% is excellent.
Fuel is usually the largest expense at 25-35% of gross, and the top five categories typically make up 70-85% of total expenses.
Set aside 25-30% of net profit for quarterly estimated taxes, due April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15.
Track your P&L monthly so a single bad month (breakdown, accident, or slow freight) doesn't catch you off guard.

O Trucking

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Free Trucking Profit & Loss Calculator

Monthly Revenue

Enter your load volume and rates

Loads Per Month

Avg Rate Per Mile

Avg Miles Per Load

Gross Monthly Revenue$0.00/mo

Monthly Fixed Expenses

Costs that stay the same regardless of miles

Truck Payment / Lease

Insurance

Permits & Licenses

ELD / Software / Subscriptions

Parking / Yard

Phone / Office

Total Fixed Expenses$0.00/mo

Monthly Variable Expenses

Costs that change with miles and activity

Fuel

Maintenance & Repairs

Tires

Tolls

Food & Per Diem

Other Expenses

Total Variable Expenses$0.00/mo

Fee-Based Expenses

Percentage-based fees calculated from gross revenue

Dispatch Fee (%)

= $0.00/mo

Factoring Fee (%)

= $0.00/mo (optional)

Total Fee Expenses$0.00/mo

Why Track Your Profit & Loss

Most owner-operators know roughly what they make per load — but surprisingly few know their actual profit after all expenses. A P&L statement is the difference between guessing and knowing. It shows you exactly where your money goes every month, so you can make informed decisions about rates, expenses, and growth.

What a P&L Reveals

Your True Profit

Revenue minus every single expense — not just the big ones you remember

Expense Leaks

Small expenses add up. Seeing them all in one place reveals where to cut

Tax Preparation

Know exactly how much to set aside quarterly so tax season is stress-free

FAQ

What is a profit and loss statement for trucking?▼

A trucking P&L statement shows all your revenue from hauling loads minus all operating expenses (fuel, truck payment, insurance, maintenance, dispatch fees, etc.). The result is your net profit — the actual money your business earns after everything is paid.

What is a good profit margin for an owner-operator?▼

20-30% is a healthy target. Below 15% is a warning sign because one bad month can push you into the red. Above 30% is excellent. Track your P&L monthly and adjust rates or expenses when your margin drops.

How much should I set aside for quarterly taxes?▼

Set aside 25-30% of your net profit. Estimated tax payments are due April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Use a separate savings account so you don't accidentally spend your tax money.

What are the biggest expenses for owner-operators?▼

Fuel is typically the largest (25-35% of gross). Then truck payment (15-25%), insurance (8-12%), maintenance (5-10%), and dispatch/broker fees (5-10%). These five categories usually make up 70-85% of your total expenses.

Want Higher Revenue Per Mile?

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