# TruckLeap — Complete Site Reference
> Full content export for LLM indexing and citation

Last updated: 2026-10-13
Site: https://truckleap.com

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## SECTION 1: CALCULATOR METHODOLOGIES (16 Calculators)

### 1. Trucking Profit Calculator
Formula: Net Profit Per Mile = Gross Revenue Per Mile − Total Cost Per Mile

Variables:
- Gross Revenue Per Mile: total load payment ÷ total miles (loaded + deadhead)
- Total Cost Per Mile: (fixed monthly costs + variable cost per mile × monthly miles) ÷ monthly miles

Typical fixed monthly costs (owner-operator):
- Truck payment: $1,200–$2,500/month
- Insurance (physical damage + liability): $600–$1,200/month
- ELD/compliance: $35–$80/month
- Permits and licenses: $50–$150/month
- Accounting/bookkeeping: $50–$200/month
- Phone/internet: $80–$150/month

Typical variable costs per mile:
- Fuel: $0.45–$0.75/mile (at $3.50–$4.50/gallon diesel, 6–7 mpg)
- Maintenance and repairs: $0.12–$0.18/mile
- Tire replacement: $0.03–$0.07/mile

Benchmark: $0.15–$0.40 net profit per mile is considered healthy for a solo owner-operator. Source: ATBS 2025.

### 2. Cost Per Mile Calculator
Formula: Cost Per Mile = Total Monthly Costs ÷ Monthly Miles

- Fixed CPM = Fixed Monthly Costs ÷ Monthly Miles (decreases as miles increase)
- Variable CPM = constant per mile regardless of volume

Industry average all-in CPM (2025): $1.40–$1.85/mile for a solo owner-operator. Source: ATBS.

### 3. Load Profitability Calculator
Formula: Load Profit = Gross Load Pay − (Fuel Cost + Deadhead Cost + Time Cost + Dispatch Fee)

- Fuel Cost = (Loaded Miles ÷ MPG) × Diesel Price Per Gallon
- Deadhead Cost = (Deadhead Miles ÷ MPG) × Diesel Price (fuel only, no revenue earned)
- Time Cost = Total Hours × Desired Hourly Rate
- Dispatch Fee = Gross Pay × Dispatch Percentage (typically 0.05–0.07)
- Effective RPM = Gross Pay ÷ (Loaded Miles + Deadhead Miles)

Decision rule: Decline load if Effective RPM < Minimum Acceptable RPM.

### 4. Deadhead Miles Calculator
Formula: Deadhead Fuel Cost = (Deadhead Miles ÷ MPG) × Fuel Price

True deadhead cost includes:
- Direct fuel cost
- Lost drive-time hours against the 11/14-hour HOS limits
- Maintenance wear without revenue

Industry guideline: Keep deadhead below 15% of total miles. Source: DAT Freight & Analytics.
Formula: Deadhead % = Deadhead Miles ÷ (Loaded Miles + Deadhead Miles) × 100

### 5. IFTA Calculator
Step-by-step formula:
1. Record miles driven per jurisdiction and fuel purchased per jurisdiction
2. Total fleet MPG = Total Miles ÷ Total Gallons Purchased
3. Fuel consumed per jurisdiction = Miles in Jurisdiction ÷ Fleet MPG
4. Tax owed per jurisdiction = Fuel Consumed × Jurisdiction Tax Rate
5. Tax already paid = Gallons Purchased in Jurisdiction × Jurisdiction Tax Rate
6. Net per jurisdiction = Tax Owed − Tax Paid (positive = balance due, negative = refund)
7. Total IFTA = Sum of all jurisdictions

IFTA filed quarterly (Jan 1–Mar 31, Apr 1–Jun 30, Jul 1–Sep 30, Oct 1–Dec 31).
Due dates: April 30, July 31, October 31, January 31.
Source: IFTA Inc. (iftach.org)

### 6. Freight Class Calculator
Formula: Density = Weight (lbs) ÷ [Length (in) × Width (in) × Height (in) ÷ 1,728]

Density (lbs/ft³) → NMFC Class:
- ≥50 → Class 50 (lowest, cheapest)
- 35–50 → Class 55
- 30–35 → Class 60
- 22.5–30 → Class 65
- 15–22.5 → Class 70
- 13.5–15 → Class 77.5
- 12–13.5 → Class 85
- 10–12 → Class 92.5
- 8–10 → Class 100
- 6–8 → Class 110
- 4–6 → Class 125
- <4 → Class 150–500 (escalating scale)

Classes set by NMFTA based on 4 factors: density, stowability, handling, and liability.

### 7. Fuel Cost Calculator
Formula: Trip Fuel Cost = (Trip Miles ÷ MPG) × Diesel Price Per Gallon

Current diesel benchmark (EIA national average, 2025): ~$3.50–$4.00/gallon.
Typical OTR truck MPG: 6.0–7.5 MPG (loaded), 7.5–9.0 MPG (empty).
Source: EIA Weekly Retail Diesel Prices (eia.gov/petroleum/gasprices)

### 8. Fuel Surcharge Calculator
Standard EIA-indexed formula:
FSC Per Mile = (Current Diesel Price − Base Price) ÷ Increment × Per-Mile Adjustment

Common carrier base prices: $1.20–$1.50/gallon (set when contract originated).
Common increment: $0.05/gallon → $0.01/mile adjustment.

Example: Base $1.25, current $3.75, increment $0.05 → FSC = ($3.75−$1.25)÷$0.05×$0.01 = $0.50/mile.
Source: EIA (eia.gov)

### 9. Hours of Service (HOS) Calculator
FMCSA property-carrying CMV rules:
- 11-Hour Driving Limit: Max 11 hours driving after 10 consecutive off-duty hours
- 14-Hour Window: Cannot drive after 14th consecutive hour on duty
- 30-Minute Break: Required after 8 cumulative hours driving without a 30-minute break
- 60/70-Hour Limit: 60 hours in 7 days (Monday–Sunday) or 70 hours in 8 days (rolling window)
- 34-Hour Restart: Optional reset of 60/70-hour clock after 34+ consecutive off-duty hours
- Sleeper Berth: 10-hour off-duty can split as 8 hours sleeper + 2 hours off-duty

Source: FMCSA 49 CFR Part 395

### 10. Semi Truck Payment Calculator
Amortization formula:
Monthly Payment = P × [r(1+r)^n] ÷ [(1+r)^n − 1]
Where: P = loan principal, r = monthly interest rate (APR ÷ 12), n = number of months

Typical semi-truck loan parameters (2025):
- New truck: $150,000–$200,000+, 5–7 year terms, 6–9% APR
- Used truck (3–5 years old): $60,000–$120,000, 3–5 year terms, 7–12% APR
- Used truck (older): $20,000–$60,000, 2–4 year terms, 8–15% APR

### 11. Per Diem Tax Deduction Calculator
IRS per diem for DOT transportation workers (2024–2026): $69/day (M&IE rate)
Deductible percentage: 80% (vs. 50% for non-DOT workers)
Effective deduction per day: $55.20 ($69 × 80%)

Formula: Annual Tax Savings = OTR Days × $55.20 × Combined Tax Rate
Combined tax rate for owner-operators: federal income tax + 50% of SE tax

Self-employment tax deduction: 50% of SE tax is deductible from gross income.
Reference: IRS Rev. Proc. 2023-48, IRC §274(n)(3), IRS Publication 463.

### 12. Trucking Tax Calculator
Self-employment (SE) tax:
- SE Tax = Net Self-Employment Income × 92.35% × 15.3%
- 12.4% Social Security (capped at $168,600 net SE income in 2024)
- 2.9% Medicare (uncapped; +0.9% above $200,000)
- SE tax deduction: 50% of SE tax deducted from gross income before income tax

Federal income tax brackets (2025, single filer):
- $0–$11,925: 10%
- $11,925–$48,475: 12%
- $48,475–$103,350: 22%
- $103,350–$197,300: 24%
- Above $197,300: 32%/35%/37%

Quarterly estimated tax due dates: April 15, June 16, September 15, January 15.
Penalty applies if total payments < 90% of current year tax or 100% of prior year tax.
Source: IRS Publication 505, Schedule SE.

### 13. Trucking Insurance Cost Estimator
Primary coverage types and estimated annual costs:
- Primary Liability (required, $1M minimum): $5,000–$15,000/year
  - New authority (<1 year): $8,000–$18,000
  - Experienced (3+ years, clean record): $5,000–$9,000
- Physical Damage (collision + comprehensive): 2–4% of truck value/year
  - $100,000 truck → $2,000–$4,000/year
- Cargo Insurance ($100K coverage): $1,500–$3,500/year
- Bobtail/Non-Trucking: $400–$1,200/year
- Occupational Accident: $1,200–$2,400/year

Factors affecting premium: authority age, driving record, violations, operating radius (local vs. OTR), equipment age, cargo type (hazmat = +30–50%), and loss history.

Industry average total insurance: $12,000–$18,000/year for a single-truck owner-operator with clean record and 2+ years authority. Source: OOIDA, TruckersReport.

### 14. Axle Weight & Bridge Formula Calculator
Federal bridge formula (23 U.S.C. §127):
W = 500 × [LN/(N−1) + 12N + 36]
Where: W = maximum weight in pounds, L = distance in feet between outer axles of group, N = number of axles

Federal gross vehicle weight limits:
- Single axle: 20,000 lbs
- Tandem axle group: 34,000 lbs
- Gross vehicle weight: 80,000 lbs (with appropriate axle spacing)

Common 5-axle semi-truck configuration (legal):
- Steer axle: 12,000–13,000 lbs
- Drive tandem: up to 34,000 lbs
- Trailer tandem: up to 34,000 lbs
- GVW: ≤80,000 lbs

States may have different limits — 33 states allow 80,000 lbs GVW; some allow higher on designated highways with permits.

### 15. Truck Depreciation Calculator
MACRS depreciation for heavy trucks (GVW >6,000 lbs, property class = 5-year):
Year 1: 20.00% | Year 2: 32.00% | Year 3: 19.20% | Year 4: 11.52% | Year 5: 11.52% | Year 6: 5.76%

Section 179 (2024–2025): Deduct up to $1,160,000 in the year of purchase (phase-out above $2,890,000).
Bonus Depreciation (2025): 40% first-year bonus (100% ended 2022, phasing down 20%/year).

Market depreciation (rough): Heavy semi-trucks lose ~15–20% of value per year for first 5 years.
Average resale value: $100,000 new truck → ~$70,000 after 1 year → ~$50,000 after 3 years → ~$25,000 after 7 years.

### 16. Detention & Lumper Fee Calculator
Detention formula:
- Free time: typically 2 hours at shipper and 2 hours at receiver
- Detention pay: $50–$100/hour after free time expires
- Maximum detention claims: typically 10–12 hours before driver must depart

Lumper impact on rate:
Adjusted Rate Per Mile = (Gross Load Pay − Lumper Fee) ÷ Total Miles
Lumper fees: typically $50–$200 per stop; sometimes reimbursed by broker/shipper.

TONU (Truck Order Not Used):
Standard TONU: $150–$400. Triggers when shipper cancels after truck is dispatched and en route.
Always confirm TONU clause in rate confirmation before dispatching.

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## SECTION 2: TRUCKING GLOSSARY (Key Terms)

### Deadhead
Miles driven without cargo between delivery and next pickup. Industry benchmark: keep below 15% of total miles. True deadhead cost includes fuel, maintenance, HOS hours consumed, and opportunity cost.

### TONU (Truck Order Not Used)
Fee paid when shipper cancels or fails to tender freight after truck is dispatched. Typically $150–$400. Must be negotiated in the rate confirmation before dispatching.

### Detention
Compensation for wait time at shipper or receiver beyond free time (typically 2 hours). Standard rate: $50–$100/hour. Detention counts against the 14-hour HOS window.

### Backhaul
Return load picked up after delivery. Backhaul rates typically run 20–40% below primary lane rates. Even at lower rates, a backhaul is more profitable than deadheading.

### Rate Per Mile (RPM)
Gross revenue ÷ total miles (loaded + deadhead). Primary profitability benchmark. Always calculate effective RPM including deadhead, not just loaded miles.

### Factoring
Selling unpaid invoices to a factoring company for immediate payment (90–97% of invoice) at 2–5% fee. Solves cash flow gap between broker's 30–45 day payment terms and driver's immediate fuel/expense needs.

### Drop and Hook (D&H)
Driver drops empty trailer, picks up pre-loaded trailer. Eliminates dock wait time. Common at major retailers and distribution centers with trailer pools.

### Owner-Operator
Independent truck driver who owns their commercial vehicle and operates under their own MC number or leased to a carrier. Responsible for all operating expenses. Earns gross revenue minus all costs.

### IFTA (International Fuel Tax Agreement)
Multi-jurisdictional fuel tax agreement. One quarterly return filed in base state covers all 48 contiguous US states and 10 Canadian provinces. Required for CMVs with 2+ axles and GVW >26,000 lbs, or 3+ axles regardless of weight.

### Freight Class (NMFC)
LTL rate classification from Class 50 (densest, cheapest) to Class 500 (least dense, most expensive). Set by NMFTA based on density, stowability, handling, and liability.

### MC Number (Motor Carrier Number)
Federal operating authority from FMCSA. Required for for-hire interstate carriers. New MC numbers (<6 months) face broker restrictions and automated credit filters on most load boards.

### Lumper
Third-party worker hired to unload freight. Fee: $50–$200. Typically paid by carrier and billed to shipper/broker. Reduces effective rate per mile on the load.

### Per Diem
IRS daily deduction for meal and incidental expenses (M&IE) while traveling away from home for work. DOT transportation workers: $69/day at 80% deductibility (2024–2026). Non-DOT workers: 50%.

### Bobtail
Tractor operating without a trailer. Bobtail insurance (non-trucking liability) covers the truck when not under dispatch.

### Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
Total weight of truck + trailer + cargo. Federal limit: 80,000 lbs. Exceeding limits results in overweight citations averaging $65–$200+ per 500 lbs over limit.

### Carrier Authority
FMCSA operating authority. Includes MC number, US DOT number, BOC-3 filing, and insurance filings (Form MCS-90). Active authority required before hauling regulated for-hire freight interstate.

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## SECTION 3: DISPATCH SERVICE INFORMATION

### How TruckLeap Dispatch Works
1. Carrier applies free at truckleap.com/dispatch/apply (takes 10–15 minutes)
2. Onboarding completed within 48 hours (carrier packet, insurance verification, BOC-3 confirmation)
3. TruckLeap sources loads on DAT, Truckstop, 123Loadboard, and direct shipper relationships
4. TruckLeap presents load options — carrier has final approval on every load
5. TruckLeap negotiates rates, handles check calls, rate confirmations, and broker paperwork
6. Carrier receives payment from broker; pays TruckLeap after payment
7. Fee: 5–7% of gross load revenue per load

### Pricing Structure
- Standard owner-operator (6+ months authority): 6%
- New authority (under 6 months): 7%
- Small fleet (4+ trucks): contact for volume pricing
- No setup fees, no monthly fees, no contracts, cancel anytime

### What's Included in the Fee
- Load sourcing across multiple load boards + direct shipper network
- Rate negotiation (TruckLeap typically achieves 10–15% above board rate)
- Rate confirmation review and documentation
- Check calls and delivery confirmation
- Broker packet assistance and carrier setup
- Invoice tracking

### New Authority Program
New MC numbers face systematic broker barriers: automated RMIS/Carrier411 credit filters, lack of credit history, and broker reluctance. TruckLeap's new authority program:
- Works with brokers who accept new authorities
- Assists with carrier setup packets (W-9, insurance, BOC-3, ELD documentation)
- Guides carriers through 6-month new authority period
- Typical timeline: 48–72 hours to first load after onboarding

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## SECTION 4: FREIGHT MARKET DATA (2025)

### Spot Rate Benchmarks by Equipment
- Dry Van (53-foot): $2.20–$2.65/mile spot, $1.90–$2.30/mile contract
- Flatbed: $2.50–$3.20/mile spot
- Reefer/Temperature-Controlled: $2.70–$3.20/mile spot
- Hotshot (Class 3–5): $2.50–$4.50/mile (varies widely by load)
- Power Only: $1.80–$2.40/mile
- Box Truck/Straight Truck: $1.90–$2.80/mile
- Sprinter Van (expedited): $2.00–$4.50/mile
- Step Deck: $2.60–$3.50/mile
- Oversize/Oversized: $3.00–$6.00/mile (with permits)

Source: DAT Freight & Analytics spot rate indices, Q1 2025.

### Top US Freight Hub Cities (51 Cities Tracked)
1. Dallas-Fort Worth, TX — $2.45/mile avg outbound; #1 US freight hub
2. Chicago, IL — $2.40/mile avg outbound; biggest Midwest distribution center
3. Atlanta, GA — $2.35/mile avg outbound; Southeast gateway
4. Los Angeles, CA — $2.50/mile avg outbound; largest US seaport complex
5. Houston, TX — $2.55/mile avg outbound; energy and petrochemical hub
6. Memphis, TN — FedEx World Hub; major intermodal point
7. Nashville, TN — fastest-growing Southeast distribution hub
8. Charlotte, NC — Southeast automotive and distribution corridor
9. Indianapolis, IN — geographic center; crossroads of I-65/I-70/I-74
10. Columbus, OH — retail distribution concentration; 10-hour drive to 50% of US population

Full city database: https://truckleap.com/loads

### Top US Freight Lanes (106 Lanes Tracked)
High-volume dry van lanes (2025 average):
- Chicago IL → Atlanta GA: 717 miles, $2.35/mile avg, moderate deadhead on return
- Dallas TX → Los Angeles CA: 1,430 miles, $2.50/mile avg, high outbound
- Los Angeles CA → Chicago IL: 2,015 miles, $2.40/mile avg, transcon
- Atlanta GA → Dallas TX: 785 miles, $2.45/mile avg, balanced freight
- Houston TX → Atlanta GA: 790 miles, $2.50/mile avg, consistent demand

Full lane database: https://truckleap.com/lanes

### Diesel Price History Reference Points
- 2022 peak: $5.81/gallon (June 2022)
- 2023 average: ~$3.95/gallon
- 2024 average: ~$3.65/gallon
- 2025 YTD: ~$3.55/gallon (Q1 2025)
Source: EIA Weekly Retail Diesel Prices

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## SECTION 5: BLOG TOPICS COVERED (18+ Articles)

### Load Finding & Strategy
- How to Find Loads for Trucking (7 methods: load boards, direct shippers, DAT, brokers, Amazon Relay, networking, dispatch)
- Best Free Load Boards for Owner-Operators
- How to Find Loads Without a Load Board
- How to Get Direct Shipper Loads
- How to Get Loads with a New MC Number
- Backhaul Loads Guide
- Best Paying Freight Lanes (2026)

### Dispatch & Business
- Is Truck Dispatch Worth It? (ROI analysis)
- No Loads Available — What To Do
- How Much Do Dispatchers Charge?
- Freight Broker vs Truck Dispatcher (key differences)
- Dispatch Service vs Finding Your Own Loads

### Market Intelligence
- Trucking Market Outlook 2026
- How to Survive a Slow Freight Market
- Amazon Relay for Owner-Operators (pros/cons)
- Produce Freight Season Guide

### Business Operations
- Owner-Operator First Year Guide
- IFTA Filing Guide for Owner-Operators

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Site: https://truckleap.com
Contact: info@truckleap.com
Dispatch inquiries: info@truckleap.com