Enter your costs once. Get a full 12-month operating budget with monthly averages, cost-per-mile, and spike month alerts. Pre-filled with 2026 ATBS benchmarks.
🛡️ Commercial Insurance (Annual)
📋 Inspections & Compliance (Annual)
📄 Licensing & Registration (Annual)
🔧 Maintenance & Tires (Annual)
💻 Fixed Monthly Costs
Your Annual Budget Summary
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Annual Total
$0
Monthly Average
$0.00
Cost Per Mile (ex-fuel)
12-Month Cash Flow Calendar
Amber months have above-average expenses due to annual payments coming due.
Minimum Revenue Floor
To cover these costs, you need to gross at least $0 per year — or $0.00 per mile at 120,000 miles. This is your break-even, not your income.
What Every Owner-Operator Needs to Budget For in 2026
Most owner-operators underestimate their annual operating costs by 20-35% because they only track fuel and truck payments. The real budget includes five distinct cost categories, several of which hit in lump sums that can wreck cash flow if you haven't planned ahead.
The Spike Month Problem
January is the worst month on the trucking calendar for non-fuel costs. UCR renewals are due, IRP plate renewals hit, and many insurance policies renew in Q1. The calculator flags these spike months in amber so you can set aside reserves instead of scrambling.
August is the second worst — HVUT Form 2290 is due by August 31 for most operators. That $550 IRS payment catches new owner-operators off guard every year.
2026 ATBS Benchmark Costs
Primary Liability Insurance: $9,000–$18,000/year depending on safety record, cargo type, and operating radius
Physical Damage: 3-5% of truck value annually
Tires: $1,500–$2,000 per tire; budget $5,000–$8,000/year depending on mileage
Preventive Maintenance: $0.04–$0.06 per mile for scheduled PMs
Repair Reserve: $0.04–$0.08 per mile for unscheduled repairs
Cost Per Mile Without Fuel
Your non-fuel cost per mile is the single most important number in your business. Industry average is $0.85–$1.10/mile ex-fuel for a solo owner-operator on an older truck, $1.20–$1.60/mile on a newer financed truck. Add $0.50–$0.65/mile for diesel and your total CPM is typically $1.50–$2.20. Any load paying below your total CPM is costing you money to haul.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HVUT and when is it due?
HVUT (Heavy Vehicle Use Tax) is Form 2290, an annual IRS tax on trucks over 55,000 lbs. For most operators it's $550/year for a standard 80,000 lb truck. It's due by August 31 each year and you need a stamped Schedule 1 to register your IRP plates.
What's included in the insurance stack?
The minimum stack is Primary Liability ($750K–$1M, required by FMCSA), Physical Damage (covers your truck), and Cargo (covers the freight). Bobtail covers you when driving without a trailer. Occupational Accident replaces workers' comp for independent contractors.
What is UCR?
Unified Carrier Registration — a mandatory annual fee for interstate motor carriers. 2026 rate is $69 for operators with 1-2 trucks. Renewals open in October and are due before operating in the new calendar year.
Should I include fuel in this budget?
This planner covers non-fuel operating costs intentionally — fuel fluctuates too much to plan annually. Use the Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate your fuel spend separately based on current diesel prices and your actual MPG, then add it to this total.