Kevin Rutherford didn’t just stumble into trucking success; he built it from the ground up by learning hard lessons. Growing up in a trucking family, he saw firsthand how passion for the industry wasn’t enough to guarantee profitability. Many truckers, including his father, struggled not because they weren’t hardworking, but because they lacked the financial strategies needed to sustain their businesses.
Determined to break the cycle, Kevin took a different path. He became a certified financial planner, launched an accounting software for truckers, and eventually founded Let’s Truck, a company dedicated to helping truckers turn their rigs into revenue-generating machines.
But Kevin’s impact goes beyond just trucking, he’s also a champion of fuel efficiency, customer service, and even driver health. In the latest episode of the Auto Transport Co-Pilot podcast, host Bek Abdullayev sits down with Kevin to discuss the biggest mistakes truckers make, how one trucker hit $293,000 in net profit in a single year, and why slowing down might be the smartest business move you can make.
The Business Mindset That Most Truckers Overlook
For many truckers, success is measured by the rate per mile they can negotiate. However, Kevin believes the real key to profitability isn’t just about how much you earn per load; it’s about how well you manage costs and provide value to your customers.
Early in his career, Kevin thought adding more trucks solved financial struggles. But with 11 trucks and mounting debt, he realized he was multiplying his problems. When he finally tracked every dollar, cut waste, and focused on efficiency, he saw his business turn around.
Most truckers don’t think of themselves as business owners. They work hard, haul freight, and get paid, but rarely step back to analyze where their money is going. That’s why Kevin created Profit Gauges, a simple accounting tool designed specifically for truckers to track revenue, expenses, and profitability.
How a Single Truck Can Generate $293K in Net Profit
One of Kevin’s biggest success stories is about a trucker named Matt, who optimized his business using Kevin’s strategies. In a year that many called the worst in the industry, Matt made $293,000 in net profit with just one truck and one driver.
His secret? Running his trucking operation like a real business. He optimized his routes, minimized downtime, and built strong customer relationships. Instead of chasing high-paying loads daily, he created a system that ensured long-term sustainability.
Most truckers jump from one load to the next without thinking about long-term profitability. But those who take the time to optimize from the inside out are the ones who thrive, even in tough markets.
Why Slowing Down Could Save You $15,000 a Year
Many truckers believe driving faster equals more money. Kevin argues the opposite. Fuel is a trucker’s biggest expense, and speed is a major factor in fuel consumption. Simply slowing down by 10 to 15 mph can save over $15,000 a year in fuel costs.
Aerodynamics play a huge role. Pushing a truck at 75 mph burns significantly more fuel than cruising at 60 mph. While it may feel like you’re making more money by covering more miles, the extra fuel costs often cancel out the increased revenue.
Truckers who take Kevin’s advice on fuel efficiency see immediate improvements in their bottom line.
Customer Service: The Competitive Advantage Most Truckers Ignore
Many truckers have an adversarial relationship with brokers, viewing them as obstacles. Kevin challenges this mindset. Instead of seeing brokers as the enemy, he encourages truckers to view them as customers and partners.
Those who build strong relationships, communicate professionally, and provide reliable service get better rates, more consistent work, and long-term success. The best truckers don’t just move freight, they focus on providing value and maintaining professionalism.
Why Health Matters Just as Much as Business
Beyond business, Kevin has another passion, helping truckers stay healthy. After seeing so many of his peers struggle with preventable health issues, he became a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. His philosophy? Your business is only as strong as you are.
Trucking is a demanding job, with limited access to healthy food and little time for exercise. Small changes like cutting out processed foods and staying active, can have a major impact on a driver’s longevity and quality of life.
To make it easier, Kevin offers a curated online store filled with high-quality, road-friendly foods to help truckers maintain their health without sacrificing convenience.
Kevin Rutherford’s insights boil down to these core principles:
- Think like a business owner: Track finances, focus on profitability, and identify your true customers.
- Prioritize financial tracking: Use tools like Profit Gauges to manage revenue and expenses.
- Optimize fuel efficiency: Small changes can lead to huge savings.
- Be cautious about expansion: More trucks don’t always mean more profit.
- Take care of your health: A thriving business means little without a healthy owner.
Kevin’s advice provides a clear roadmap to success for truckers looking to take control of their careers and build profitable businesses.
Kevin’s Background
Kevin Rutherford is a seasoned business strategist, trucking industry expert, and advocate for owner-operators. As the founder and CEO of Let’s Truck, he has dedicated his career to helping truckers achieve financial and operational success. With over three decades in the industry, Kevin has built a reputation as a trusted advisor, offering expertise in business management, fuel efficiency, and tax planning for trucking professionals.
In addition to his work at Let’s Truck, Kevin hosts the long-running Trucking Business & Beyond radio show, which educates truckers on business fundamentals, profitability strategies, and personal health. His Profit Gauges software has empowered thousands of truck owners to take control of their finances and improve their bottom line.
- Website: Let’s Truck
- Community: Let’s Truck Tribe
- Accounting Software: Profit Gauges
- Free Fuel Tracking App: Fuel Gauges
Listen to this episode of Auto Transport Co-Pilot podcast on:
👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/auto-transport-co-pilot/id1696192085
👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1MKPQE0xvKPRpbAS8ESfqJ
