When the going gets tough, owner-operators get going -- at least traditionally, they did. When rates fall and/or costs rise, historically the miles-run averages for owner-operators grew as those behind the wheel attempted to compensate for dwindling income with boosted production. Yet business services firm ATBS, partner with Overdrive on our Partners in Business manual for building and growing a trucking business start to finish, showed some evidence recently that suggests more owner-operators are placing ever-greater priority on home time than in years prior.
In 2022, as we all know, fuel costs soared and rates took a dive. Yet miles run actually ticked down a full 10% for the average compared to 2021, a boom year for spot rates. There’s a lot in the miles-run measure for 2022 -- parts/maintenance delays, unprecedented fuel prices and rates swings -- yet there’s some evidence owners, particularly among younger generations, remained steadfast in routines set in the boom time.
Over the long term, too, the trend toward fewer miles is even more clear -- ATBS' long-term tracking shows an absolutely huge reduction in annual miles over the last two decades for its owner-operator clientele.
Fact is, more are looking for that elusive goal of work-life balance, with healthy profits and maximum time efficiency on the road to justify time spent on other pursuits.
In a webinar scheduled for May 23 -- part of an Overdrive/CCJ series and sponsored by the Bestpass company — two men who’ve been in those shoes before will present strategies to gauge and achieve balance to improve quality of life for yourself and/or your operators. That's whether you’re a one-truck owner leased to a carrier or with authority, or a small fleet owner hoping to deliver better balance to drivers and, ultimately, to yourself.
At this link, register to attend the May 23 presentations and a discussion/Q&A with Innovative Logistics Group founder and managing director Adam Wingfield and Overdrive 2021 Small Fleet Champ Jason Cowan, founder and leader of Silver Creek Transportation out of Henderson, Kentucky.
