I need info on starting a career

[knel35565]

I was sitting in a truck stop in Mo. a few months back and ran across an ad for an expeditors service. I had no idea what it was so I checked into it and found it something I wouldlike to do. I am not finacially able to purchase a straight truck so I have decided I will start with a cargo van. What I need to know is typically how many miles a week can you get with a van and what is the average owner / operator pay for a cargo van? I appreciate all of your help and input!

J. Keith Nelson
ROLL TIDE ROLL

 

[terryandrene]

Lot's of variables to give you a finite answer for cargo van operation. paid and deadhead miles will vary by company as will the pay per mile. Fuel surcharges will also vary from customer to customer. Tariffs vary considerably in different areas of the country as well.
I think a fair cents per mile spread will be 65 to 125 for typical loaded miles with an average of all the national companies in the neighborhood of 90 cents. Paid miles will range between 700 to 2000 with extremes at either end. Deadhead mile will be about 1/3 more.

I have no data to back up the above guesstimates but I hope you can get an idea from them. I have earned as little as $0 for one week of availability and as much as $4025 as a team.

 

[Twmaster]

Hi Keith,

Well this is *the* web site for Expediter info. One suggestion I would like to offer is to make a pot of coffee and sit down to a search of these here forums. Your questions have been asked here many time before and there is a wealth of information to be had with some time and reading. As Terryandrene posted there are no concrete answers to your questions. Just guidelines albeit good ones.

One other thing to consider is going to work for a truck owner before jumping in with both feet in the event that this life is not for you. That way it's easy to walk (or run :+ ) away if this does not suit you.

Best of luck!

--
Mike N

I don't do drugs. I get the same effect just standing up fast.

 

[LDB]

I considered a Sprinter before going with a D unit. I liked the idea of the freedom the Sprinter provided, both in maneuvering and in no logs. I went with the straight truck because it pays better and has more versatility. The information I got during several weeks of research was that a cargo van paid 77 cents per mile if it was on a per mile basis. That is from a few different companies. If you sign with someone paying a percentage of the load then it will vary based on the load tariff. I also was told to expect anywhere from 800-1200 miles a week as a solo driver. You may want to look into driving a vehicle for an owner for a while to get some experience and be sure this is for you. Good luck with whatever you do.