Case study
Texas owner-operator lifted RPM from $2.05 to $2.38 in 60 days
Houston-based dry van operator running TX↔CA reset weekends.
Quick answer
How a solo dry van owner-operator out of Houston added $2,800/mo by switching to dedicated dispatch.
- Customer
- MT Transport LLC
- Role
- Owner-operator
- Equipment
- Dry Van
- Fleet size
- 1 truck
- State
- Texas
- Published
- 9/20/2025
Problem
- Self-dispatching 10–14 hours/week between load board scrolling and broker calls.
- Averaging $2.05 RPM, with 22% deadhead on backhauls.
- Missing home time targets 2 out of 4 weekends.
Solution
- Dedicated Bonafide dispatcher assigned within 48 hours.
- Built a lane profile: TX→CA outbound, CA→AZ/NM backhaul, home Saturday.
- Pre-set broker packets with the top 25 brokers on those lanes.
Implementation
- Onboarding call covered truck specs, preferred shippers, and pay targets.
- Week 1: matched against three vetted brokers, two loads booked above $2.30/mi.
- Week 4: lane optimization reduced deadhead from 22% to 11%.
- Week 8: weekly RPM stabilized at $2.36–$2.40.
Results
| Metric | Before | After | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rate per mile | $2.05 | $2.38 | +16% |
| Deadhead % | 22% | 11% | −50% |
| Monthly gross | $18,400 | $21,200 | +$2,800 |
| Weekends home | 2 of 4 | 4 of 4 | +100% |
- +$2,800/mo gross with same miles.
- 10 hours/week recovered.
- Consistent home time hitting target every week.
"Best move I made. I drive, they dispatch — and my paycheck went up $700 a week."
FAQ
How long until results?
Most owner-operators see RPM gains in week 2–4. Full lane optimization stabilizes by week 8.
Did the fee eat the gains?
No — a 6% fee on $21K is ~$1,260, versus a $2,800 lift. Net positive $1,540/mo.