Why this matters for carhaul O/Os
Owner-operators looking to capitalize on resilient vehicle-movement demand heading into 2026 are seeing a steady stream of listings from United Road, a major player in North American carhaul. The company highlights nationwide opportunities for independent contractors alongside company-driver roles, with a recruiting pitch built around freight volume, support infrastructure, and contractor-friendly programs.
What United Road is advertising
- Earnings potential: Job postings aimed at independent contractors consistently promote average annual gross revenue around $300,000, with top performers above $400,000, and 85% of transport revenue on OEM freight paid to the contractor. Remember, these are gross figures before fuel, equipment, insurance, and taxes.
- Equipment and experience: Listings specify a 2010-or-newer tractor with a functional after-treatment system and late-model high-capacity (typically 7–10 car) trailers; at least one year of verifiable carhaul experience as an O/O is commonly required.
- Discounts and support: Ads tout fuel savings of up to $1.02 per gallon, tire discounts up to 45%, and parts up to 30%, plus productivity bonuses and dispatch support to minimize deadhead.
- Lanes and hometime: Openings have recently appeared across the Mountain West (Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Oregon), Florida and the broader Southeast, with some postings noting “home every weekend” depending on lane. Availability varies by market.
Independent contractor or company driver? Know the trade-offs
For fleets and O/Os, the choice between leasing on as an independent contractor or hiring/working as a company driver hinges on control, risk, and capital:
- Profit and risk: ICs keep a larger slice of the revenue but shoulder fuel volatility, maintenance, deadhead, and downtime. Company drivers trade upside for steady pay and benefits.
- Capital and compliance: ICs must invest in compliant equipment (emissions after-treatment, carhaul capacity) and manage insurance, taxes, and recordkeeping. Several United Road postings also call out FMCSA Clearinghouse registration.
- Operational control: Dispatch support can help utilization, but ICs should clarify load selection, refusal policies, and penalties to ensure they preserve meaningful autonomy.
Regulatory backdrop: the DOL’s contractor test
Contractors and fleets should factor in the U.S. Department of Labor’s independent-contractor rule that took effect in March 2024. On January 10, 2025, a federal judge in New Mexico upheld the rule in one of the first court tests, emphasizing an “economic dependence” standard that looks at control, opportunity for profit or loss, and the permanency of the relationship, among other factors. The outcome doesn’t ban IC models, but it raises the bar for demonstrating true independence—especially where dispatch control, exclusivity, and pricing are concerned.
Five questions to ask before you apply
- Rate transparency: How are rates set and presented? Can you see full load pay details, fuel surcharge treatment, and accessorials before committing?
- Revenue split and deductions: The 85% figure on OEM freight is attractive—ask which loads it applies to, what non-OEM work pays, and which deductions (insurance, plates, trailer rent, load boards, ELDs) hit your settlement.
- Utilization and deadhead: What’s the average loaded mile percentage on your target lanes? How does dispatch handle backhauls and layovers, and what recourse exists if promised freight volume doesn’t materialize?
- Fuel and maintenance programs: Verify the “up to $1.02/gal” fuel savings and the tire/parts discounts against your actual network. Ask which vendors and locations qualify and how discounts are passed through.
- Independence in practice: To stay on the right side of the DOL test, ensure you can meaningfully control your work: selecting loads, negotiating schedules where feasible, using your own business processes, and maintaining non-exclusive relationships if desired.
Takeaway for O/Os and fleets
United Road’s recruiting pitch to independent contractors highlights solid freight access in carhaul, robust discounts, and high gross potential. That equation can work—particularly for experienced carhaulers with the right equipment and disciplined cost control. But in today’s compliance environment, it’s critical to verify autonomy, document business independence, and pressure-test the economics (fuel, tires, maintenance, insurance) against realistic utilization. If you prefer steadier cash flow and lower risk, the company-driver route may fit better; if you’re capitalized, operationally savvy, and value control, the IC path can still pencil—provided the details and lanes line up in your favor.
Sources Consulted: United Road (careers pages); Indeed job listings; Reuters (coverage of the U.S. Department of Labor independent-contractor rule and January 10, 2025 court ruling).
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