How much is my trucking company worth?
Whether you’re thinking about selling or comparing listings as a buyer, it helps to know what actually moves the price of a trucking company. Here are the factors we weigh, roughly in order of impact.
1. Authority age
Age is the biggest single driver for companies without trucks or contracts. Because many brokers require 6 months to 2 years of active authority, value climbs sharply across those milestones. After about 3 to 5 years, it levels off.
2. Safety record
- Safety rating: Satisfactory adds value. Not Rated is normal. Conditional cuts value a lot.
- Crashes in the last 24 months: each one lowers value. Three or more can cut it by more than half.
- Out-of-service rate: below the national average is a plus. Above it is a minus.
Buyers check all of this on FMCSA SAFER, so it pays to know your numbers before you list.
3. Insurance history
Continuous coverage with no lapses or cancellations matters. A lapse shows up on FMCSA L&I and can sharply reduce what buyers will pay, because it affects their premiums and broker approvals.
4. Type of operation and access
- Higher value: hazmat, port drayage, and carrier-plus-broker authority.
- Standard value: dry van, reefer and flatbed OTR.
- Lower value: intrastate-only and box truck operations.
- Amazon Relay access and a long list of active broker setups add value.
5. Trucks, contracts and profit
An operating company is valued differently from an authority-only one. Add the equity in trucks and trailers, plus a multiple of the owner’s annual profit (often 1.5 to 2.5 times for small fleets), along with any customer contracts that transfer with the business.
Get your number
Our free valuation calculator uses these factors to give an instant estimate range. For a firm number, submit your company. Listing is free, and we only earn a fee when your sale closes.
Frequently asked questions
What is my MC number worth?
The MC number itself can’t be sold. What has value is the company that holds it. Its worth depends on authority age, safety record, insurance history, operation type and broker setups, plus any trucks, contracts and profit.
Does a crash lower the value of my trucking company?
Yes. Recent crashes are one of the biggest negatives, because they affect the buyer’s insurance costs and broker approvals.
How much does it cost to sell with MCDOT Sales?
Listing is free. We only earn a fee when your sale closes, paid from the proceeds at closing.
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This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Have your own attorney review any purchase agreement.