In 2026, the difference between a profitable trucking fleet and one that’s barely treading water isn’t just about getting loads. It’s about how many miles you drive for free. For the average owner-operator, that "leak" is costing roughly $1,000 every single month. If you’re running 1 to 10 trucks, you know the drill. You finish a drop-off, and the pressure starts. You’re scanning load boards, fighting for a backhaul, and often settling for a "filler" load that takes you 150 miles out of your ...

The $1,000 Leak: How Small Fleets are Reclaiming Fuel Profits in 2026

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