Everyone talks about the box truck business but nobody breaks down the actual math. Here's mine.

The setup:

• 26ft box truck (used, $15K–$30K depending on condition)

• DOT number + MC authority (~$300 total)

• Commercial insurance (~$800–$1,200/month)

• Factoring company so I get paid daily instead of waiting net 30

Where the loads come from:

I use load boards — DAT, Truckstop, etc. Most of my runs are local and regional freight for small businesses. Palletized goods, retail inventory, equipment moves. Nothing exotic.

The numbers:

• Average gross per week: $4,000–$6,000

• Fuel: ~$800–$1,200/week depending on miles

• Insurance: ~$250/week

• Factoring fee: 2–5% per invoice

• Truck payment (if financed): ~$400–$600/month

After expenses, I'm netting $2,500–$4,000/week with one truck. Some weeks more, some less — depends on the lanes and how hard I push.

The key most people miss:

You don't need a CDL for a 26ft box truck. That's the whole game. Low barrier to entry, high earning potential if you run it like a real business and not a side hustle.

I teach the full playbook inside Echo26 Logistics — from getting your authority to booking your first load to scaling past one truck.