A typical U.S. owner-operator running 10,000–12,000 paid miles per month spends $14,000–$19,000: $4,500–$6,500 fuel (at $3.85/gal avg, 6.5 MPG), $2,500–$3,200 truck payment, $850–$1,400 insurance, $700–$1,200 maintenance reserve ($0.08/mi), $400 ELD/permits/factor fees, plus $1,200–$1,800 dispatch and $600 meals.
- Fuel
- $4,500–$6,500/mo
- Truck payment
- $2,500–$3,200/mo
- Insurance
- $850–$1,400/mo
- Maintenance reserve
- $700–$1,200/mo
- Dispatch (8%)
- $1,200–$1,800/mo
- Factoring (2.5%)
- $450–$600/mo
The one line most owner-ops underestimate: maintenance reserve
Set aside $0.08/mi minimum, $0.12/mi if the truck has 700K+ miles. On 11,000 miles that's $880–$1,320 per month into a separate account you don't touch until a repair hits.
Fresh in-frame overhaul on a Cummins X15: $12,000–$18,000. New drive tires (steer + 4 drives): $2,800. DPF replacement: $3,000–$4,500. If you don't have $8K liquid when the DPF light stays on, you park.
Fuel — the actual math for 2026
National average diesel Q1 2026 hovered around $3.85/gallon (EIA weekly retail data). A truck averaging 6.5 MPG on 11,000 miles burns 1,692 gallons — $6,517 at $3.85.
Fuel discount programs (RTS Carrier Services, TCS Fuel, Fleet One) shave $0.20–$0.45/gal at Loves and TA. On 1,700 gallons that's $340–$765/mo real savings — worth having a card for.
Insurance drops sharply after year one
Year one new-authority premium: $12,000–$18,000. Year two, with clean CSA and one full year loss history: $8,000–$11,000. Year three onward, most owner-ops with clean records land at $7,000–$9,500.
The largest single-driver rate movers are speed violations (3+), preventable accidents, and CSA hazmat/HOS/vehicle scores. One at-fault with injury can double premiums for 3 years.
The small stuff that adds up
ELD subscription (Motive, Samsara, KeepTruckin): $30–$45/mo per truck. IFTA quarterly filing: $50–$150/qtr if outsourced. Prepass or Bestpass toll transponder: $17–$30/mo plus tolls ($100–$400/mo depending on lanes). Parking (paid truck stops): $200–$500/mo in tight markets.
Line-item monthly spend at 10,500 miles
Fuel at 6.5 MPG and $3.85/gal averages $6,220. Truck payment on a 2020 tractor: $1,850. Physical damage + liability insurance for a 1-truck authority: $1,100. Trailer payment or rental: $450. Cell + ELD + TMS: $95. Parking: $150.
Add IFTA at ~$450, 2290 HVUT prorated at $46, permits and UCR reserve at $60, factoring at 2.5% on $22,000 gross = $550, and a maintenance reserve of $0.12/mi = $1,260. Reserve is not optional — DOT-triggered repairs cluster in months 18–30 of ownership.
The three expenses new owner-operators underbudget
Occupational health and disability insurance ($180–$260/mo) is skipped by 70% of first-year carriers and is the leading cause of Chapter 7 filings after a non-DOT injury.
Quarterly estimated federal tax at 15.3% self-employment + 12–22% federal bracket — plan for $1,400–$2,000 per month in a separate account. Missing April, June, September, or January payments triggers IRS Form 2210 penalties on top of the tax owed.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I reserve for repairs?
$0.08–$0.12 per mile is the working-carrier rule. On 11,000 miles that's $880–$1,320/mo into a separate account.
What's the biggest expense mistake new owner-ops make?
Not reserving for maintenance. The truck always needs something — a $9,000 repair with no reserve becomes a credit card at 24% APR.
Should I take home a paycheck monthly?
Yes — pay yourself a fixed W-2 or draw before covering personal expenses from the business account. Mixing them wrecks your bookkeeping.