Logistics support
Know what each load earns before the truck rolls.
Barriteau Advisory reviews the costs and procedures behind trucking and shipping operations. Each report lists the figures behind every conclusion and the specific changes to make.
Request an introductory callView servicesLoad profit check
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rate paid for the load | $1,850.00 |
| Loaded miles | 620 |
| Empty miles to pickup | 85 |
| Total miles | 705 |
| Cost per mile | $1.24 |
| Estimated cost | $874.20 |
| Remaining after cost | $975.80 |
The 85 empty miles add $105.40 to the cost of this load. The rate covers the full 705 miles.
Services
Each service ends with a written deliverable.
Cost and route profitability
Calculation of cost per mile from fuel, insurance, maintenance, truck payments, tolls, and driver pay, followed by a profit check for each load and lane.
Dispatch workflow
Review of how loads are found, booked, assigned, tracked, and invoiced, with the handoffs between owner, dispatcher, and driver written out.
Registration checklist
A list of the steps and documents for a USDOT number and operating authority, based on FMCSA published instructions. The applicant completes and submits the registration.
Insights
Short references for trucking and shipping businesses, with sources listed below.
Updated November 2026
How to calculate cost per mile
Key takeaways
- Cost per mile is total operating cost for a period divided by total miles driven in that period.
- Operating costs include fuel, insurance, maintenance, truck payments, tolls, and driver pay.
- A load is worth hauling when its rate per mile covers cost per mile, including the empty miles driven to pick it up.
Illustrative figures: $6,200 in monthly costs over 5,000 miles equals $1.24 per mile. Open the printable worksheet.
Getting a USDOT number and operating authority
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [FMCSA] moved registration to a new system, Motus. After May 14, 2026, a new USDOT number application cannot be started in the older Unified Registration System (FMCSA, n.d.).
A new applicant checks the registration type with the USDOT Wizard, creates a Motus user profile with identity verification, creates a company account, and applies for the number or authority needed (FMCSA, 2026). FMCSA lists no planned changes to registration fees for the initial release of Motus (FMCSA, n.d.). Confirm current fees and requirements in Motus before filing.
Is a logistics review right for you?
Check each statement that applies.
- You do not know your cost per mile.
- You accept loads without counting the empty miles to pickup.
- Your dispatch steps are not written down.
- Customers pay later than you planned.
- You are preparing to apply for a USDOT number or operating authority.
If any statement applies, an introductory call can identify where a review would start.
Five numbers to track for each truck
- Total miles, loaded and empty
- Fuel cost per mile
- Maintenance cost per mile
- Revenue per total mile
- Days from delivery to payment
Reviewing the same five numbers each week shows which lanes and customers cover their costs.
Sources
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. (n.d.). Registration modernization FAQs. U.S. Department of Transportation. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/modernization-faqs
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. (2026, May 18). Move into Motus. U.S. Department of Transportation. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/move-motus
Frequently asked questions
What records does a logistics review use?
A review typically uses fuel receipts, load confirmations, maintenance records, insurance and truck payment statements, and invoices.
Which services does Barriteau Advisory not provide?
Barriteau Advisory does not give investment advice, prepare tax returns, perform audits, or provide legal services. Those services require a license or registration. Clients who need them receive a referral to a licensed professional.
How is my information protected?
Information is shared only as agreed in writing, and records are requested only for the scope of the engagement.
Request an introductory call
Describe your operation in a few sentences. Elle replies by email to schedule the call.
contact@barriteauadvisory.com