Trucking Business Valuation
Trucking / Logistics Business Valuation Calculator & Exit Planning Built for Fleet Owners
We built one platform that tracks your trucking / logistics business's value monthly, identifies exit gaps early, and ensures your personal finances align with your exit timeline.
1,000+ Businesses have joined YourExitValue.com
Most Trucking / Logistics Owners Have No Idea What Their Business is Actually Worth
Current Trucking / Logistics Valuation Multiples (2026)
Trucking / Logistics values are strong due to increased buyer demand from logistics companies, PE, strategic acquirers. Here's what companies sell for:
Every business is different. That's why you need to track your value.
Included in Your Exit Value is a complete Exit Planning Assessment where you track your progress quarterly against your results from the previous quarter.
Know your number and watch it grow
Most business owners guess at their value. You'll know it with precision.
Our platform uses six proven valuation methodologies to give you a complete picture of what your business is worth today—and tracks how that number changes month over month. No more waiting for annual appraisals or paying $15K+ for outdated reports.
See your trends. Spot opportunities. Make informed decisions
What Actually Drives Trucking / Logistics Business Value
Revenue and earnings are the two most influential factors in your trucking / logistics business's valuation. But not all companies are valued equally. Here are the factors that move your number up—or down:
Fleet Age
<5 Yr Avg
Operating ratio under 95% shows healthy margins. Operating ratio is revenue minus operating expenses divided by revenue—under 95% indicates profitable operations with margin cushion.
Old fleet = hidden capital
Contract Freight
60%+ Contracted
Driver retention directly impacts capacity and service. Trucking faces chronic driver shortages—companies that retain drivers have solved one of the industry's biggest challenges.
Spot-heavy = unpredictable
Driver Retention
<40% Turnover
Fleet age and condition impacts maintenance costs and reliability. Newer trucks have lower maintenance and better fuel efficiency—old fleets require significant capital investment.
High turnover = service issues
Customer Base
Diversified
Diversified customer base reduces risk. Contract freight with multiple shippers creates stable revenue—spot-market-heavy companies face volatile pricing.
Concentrated = risky
Safety Record
Clean CSA Scores
Authority, insurance, and compliance in good standing is essential. Operating authority, safety ratings, and compliance history are scrutinized—issues create deal-breakers for buyers.
Safety problems = deal breakers
Operating Authority
Clean MC/DOT
Lanes and relationships create sustainable competitive advantage. Established shipper relationships and optimized lanes are valuable—starting from scratch is expensive and time-consuming.
Compliance issues = red flags
How to Value a Trucking Business
The U.S. trucking industry includes over 900,000 carriers generating approximately $900 billion in annual revenue. Trucking companies range from owner-operators to large fleet operations, with valuations driven by fleet condition, operating authority, and contract revenue.
EBITDA and SDE multiples are the primary valuation methods. Trucking companies typically sell for 2.0x to 4.0x SDE, or 3.0x to 6.0x EBITDA for larger fleet operations. Carriers with dedicated contract freight, newer equipment, and strong safety records command the higher end.
Revenue multiples for trucking businesses generally range from 0.25x to 0.50x annual revenue. Asset-based valuations are also common, with the fleet (tractors and trailers) representing a substantial portion of total value.
The unique valuation factor in trucking is the operating authority, safety record, and driver retention. USDOT and MC authority with a clean safety rating is essential for transfer. Insurance history, CSA scores, and out-of-service rates directly impact the company's ability to obtain and maintain insurance at reasonable rates. Driver retention is the industry's biggest operational challenge — a company that has solved driver recruitment and retention has a significant competitive advantage that translates directly to higher valuations.
The trucking industry is cyclical, with valuations fluctuating based on freight rates and capacity. However, companies with dedicated contract freight, specialized hauling capabilities (hazmat, oversized, refrigerated), and strong customer relationships maintain more stable valuations through market cycles. Use our free calculator above to get your instant estimate, then track your value monthly with YourExitValue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What multiple do trucking / logistics businesses sell for?
Most trucking / logistics businesses sell for 2.0x – 3.0x SDE or 0.3x – 0.6x annual revenue. However, the range is wide. Companies with strong fleet age can command significantly higher multiples. YourExitValue tracks exactly where you fall on each value driver.
How does fleet age affect my company's value?
Fleet Age is one of the biggest value drivers for trucking / logistics businesses. Logistics companies, pe, strategic acquirers specifically look for companies with strong performance here. Improving this metric can significantly increase your multiple.
How long before selling should I start tracking my trucking / logistics business value?
Ideally 1 to 5 years before your target exit. This gives you time to improve your fleet age, reduce owner dependence, strengthen your team, and document growth trends buyers pay premium prices for.
Who buys trucking / logistics businesses?
Common buyers include logistics companies, PE, strategic acquirers, as well as individual buyers looking to own a business and strategic acquirers. Each buyer type values different aspects. YourExitValue helps you understand what each looks for.
What valuation method is used for trucking / logistics businesses?
Most trucking / logistics businesses are valued using SDE (Seller's Discretionary Earnings) multiples for smaller companies under $1M in earnings, and EBITDA multiples for larger companies. Revenue multiples (0.3x – 0.6x) are sometimes used as quick reference.
What's the fastest way to increase my trucking / logistics business value?
The fastest improvements typically come from: 1) Improving your fleet age to hit the target, 2) Reducing owner dependence, 3) Documenting your systems and processes, and 4) Cleaning up financials. Most owners add 20-40% in 12-24 months.