Gross Revenue
Gross revenue in trucking is the total amount a carrier invoices for transportation services before deducting any expenses, including linehaul, fuel surcharge, detention, and other accessorials.
In Depth
Gross revenue is the top line of a trucking business. For an owner-operator running 10,000 miles per month at $2.50/mile average, gross revenue is $25,000/month or $300,000/year — before fuel, insurance, truck payments, or taxes.
Gross revenue is often cited in industry comparisons and income claims, but it is a misleading metric on its own. An owner-operator earning $300,000 gross with $260,000 in expenses nets only $40,000 — less than many company drivers. Always evaluate net revenue or profit per mile alongside gross.
For factoring purposes, gross revenue is what the factoring company advances against. Their fee is calculated as a percentage of gross invoice value.
Usage Example
Example: 'My gross revenue last month was $24,500 — but after fuel, insurance, and the truck note, I netted $7,200.'
Related Calculators
Related Terms
Net Revenue
Net revenue (also called net income or take-home pay) in trucking is gross revenue minus all operating expenses, including fuel, insurance, truck payments, maintenance, taxes, and fees. It represents what the owner-operator actually earns.
Cost Per Mile
Cost per mile (CPM) is the total operating cost divided by total miles driven in a given period. It includes both fixed costs (insurance, truck payment) and variable costs (fuel, maintenance) per mile.
Operating Ratio
Operating ratio is total operating expenses divided by gross revenue, expressed as a percentage. A ratio of 85% means $0.85 of every dollar earned goes to expenses, leaving a 15% profit margin.
Factoring
Freight factoring is a financial service where a carrier sells its unpaid invoices to a factoring company at a discount (typically 2–5%) in exchange for immediate payment — usually within 24 hours rather than the standard 30–45 day broker payment cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good gross revenue for an owner-operator?
Most owner-operators gross $150,000–$300,000/year. The number that matters is net income after all expenses, typically $40,000–$100,000.