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Trucking projections that prove your rate per mile covers the truck payment.
Loaded miles, rate per mile, fuel and driver pay go in. Monthly cash flow while brokers pay in 30-45 days, 5-year profit and loss and DSCR come out.
- Laid out the way SBA lenders ask: assumptions, year one by month, loan payment, DSCR.
- Starts as a realistic trucking company, so you change what's different about yours instead of starting blank.
- Plain formulas: click any cell and see where it comes from. Excel and Google Sheets.
| Example | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Revenue | $605,550 | $676,578 | $717,714 | $761,351 | $807,641 |
| 9 | EBITDA | $175,816 | $217,739 | $238,674 | $261,112 | $285,152 |
| 13 | Net profit | $85,303 | $121,714 | $141,815 | $163,516 | $186,942 |
| 16 | Lowest cash | $28,034 | $133,815 | $263,103 | $408,072 | $569,808 |
| 21 | DSCR | 3.06x | 3.79x | 4.16x | 4.55x | 4.97x |
| 27 | Break-even / month | $36,181 |
What your lender checks, and where it is in the file
You type the blue cells
- Sales drivers and prices for your business
- Who you'll pay and from which month
- Rent, insurance and other monthly costs
- Startup costs and the loan terms
The file works out
- 60 months of profit and loss and cash flow
- 5-year summary with margins and growth
- Loan payment, interest and DSCR by year
- Sources and uses, and break-even
The numbers a trucking company forecast is built on
Trucking runs on cost per mile. If your rate per mile does not clear your all-in cost per mile with room for empty miles and slow-paying brokers, the business loses money however many loads you haul. This template starts from loaded miles and rate per mile, applies fuel and maintenance per mile, and shows the cash you need while invoices wait 30 to 45 days.
- Loaded miles per month
- For all trucks together; leave room for deadhead (empty) miles in your rate.
- Rate per mile
- What brokers or shippers pay; keep the fuel surcharge as its own line if you get one.
- Fuel
- About $0.48 per mile in ATRI's 2025 operational cost data.
- Driver pay
- ATRI puts driver wages plus benefits near $1.03 per mile; enter as monthly pay per driver.
- Insurance
- Often the second-biggest cost for new authorities.
- All-in cost per mile
- ATRI's 2025 average was $2.336 per mile including fuel; compare your rate against yours.
Questions
Owner-operator or small fleet?
Both. For one truck set one driver (you) and one truck's miles; for a fleet add trucks and drivers.
Where do I put factoring fees?
Either as a fixed monthly cost or as a percentage in direct costs.
Do I need the fuel surcharge line?
Only if your loads pay one separately; set it to zero for all-in rates.
Will my lender accept it?
It includes what lenders commonly ask for: assumptions, year one by month, five annual years, the loan payment and DSCR, and sources and uses. Formats vary, so check your lender's list; every sheet is editable.
Does it work in Google Sheets?
Yes. Open the .xlsx in Google Sheets and every formula keeps working. It also works in Excel and LibreOffice.
Is it tax or legal advice?
No. It is a planning tool. Tax is a flat rate on profit; ask your accountant for your real rate.
Trucking Company Financial Projections Template
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