How To Write a Box Truck Business Plan: A Step-by-Step Guide

A box truck, the closed-in cargo truck commonly used to transport goods and materials, might be the unsung hero of the road. This vehicle is smaller than a semi but larger than a pick-up or sprinter van, a nimble, versatile size for a variety of business ventures. You can use it to provide moving services, last-mile delivery services for local or regional businesses, refrigerated transport, junk removal, bulk item transport, and long-distance transportation of goods across state lines, among other possibilities.

The box truck industry was valued at $12.7 billion in 2024 and has an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%. This is driven in part by the growth of ecommerce businesses looking for alternatives to national shipping brands.

Crafting a business plan can help you launch a box truck company or improve operational efficiency for your existing business. Here’s an overview of what should be included in a business plan if you have or want to run your own box truck business.

How to write a box truck business plan

• Executive summary
• Company description
• Services overview
• Market research
• Operational considerations
• Financial plan
• Marketing plan

A solid business plan is a formal document outlining your company’s goals and how you plan to achieve them. It’s equal parts research, forecasting, and planning. It’s also a necessary document for funding applications, whether you’re seeking a small business loan or considering bringing on external investors. Here’s how to turn your vision into an executable plan. 

Executive summary

The executive summary provides a high-level overview of your business, highlighting the key takeaways for whoever is reading your box truck business plan, including potential investors. Some people prefer to write the executive summary after they’ve completed the other sections of the business plan. If you need some starting points, consider framing your summary around these questions:

• Who are you? Provide a brief company description explaining your transportation services brand. How will you differentiate yourself in the market? What value will you bring to potential customers?

• What will the person reading this learn? Give readers a sense of what to expect in the larger document. This might include highlighting findings from a market analysis, an overview of the services you plan to offer, and an initial marketing strategy.

• Why should the reader care? If you’re using your business plan to secure funding, address what a potential investor stands to gain by supporting you. If your business plan is intended to be an internal document to keep you on track, make note of the greater goals and milestones you want to reach.

Company description

In this section, describe the details of your box truck business. These should include your business structure, the story behind your brand, the types of trucking jobs and contracts you’ll seek, and how you’ll stand out on the road. For example, will you be a one-truck solo sensation, racking up regional miles, or operate a fleet of box trucks intent on local domination? 

Details to include:

• Your business name, and “doing business as” (DBA) name if applicable

• The size and cooling specifications (“dry” vs. refrigerated) of your box truck or trucks, which determine what and how much you can haul 

• The businesses or industries you intend to target

• Whether you’ll be crossing state lines or staying local

• Insights around efficiency, pricing, or logistical strategy to inform your unique approach

Services overview

There are many uses for a box truck, so be clear on what your business plans to do. Devote space in your box truck business plan to outline the types of services you’ll offer or specialize in—like white-glove moving services or delivering restaurant orders—and whether you’ll implement tracking systems or logistical tools to make it happen. 

This is also a good spot to work out the details of your pricing strategy. There are a few different methods for pricing box truck services. Some of the most common techniques include:

• Per-mile. Some operators set $2 per mile job pricing, but others find the rate unrealistic and inflexible. It may make more sense to calculate a competitive per-mile rate that meets your financial goals. Motor Carrier HQ has a helpful cost-per-mile calculator you can use to measure earnings per mile against overhead expenses. 

• Per-hour. If your services include a handful of local deliveries on a given day, stacking multiple stops and clients, a flat hourly rate may be more profitable than per-mile pricing. 

• Per-job. For standard one-off jobs or recurring routes, you might create a flat job rate. Per-job pricing also makes it easier to budget and manage operating expenses, but you won’t earn more if traffic or loading setbacks slow the delivery. 

• Retainer. If your goal is consistent customer contracts rather than finding new business, charging a monthly retainer fee can guarantee space to clients looking for a long-term delivery partner. 

Market research

You don’t need a business degree to conduct impactful market research for your business. At its core, market research is a collection of insights about the industry, the type of business you’d like to build, and the market you plan to serve.

Your market research should include a competitive analysis considering the existing box truck companies operating in your market. Look into their pricing and services, and highlight gaps in the market you intend to fill. Then, include information about the clients you want to pursue. Maybe you’ll target independent furniture stores, or grocery delivery, or make yourself available to move large items on an as-needed basis. Consider their budgets and needs, and detail how your business will be the right fit.

Operational considerations

Capturing information in your business plan about required licenses and certifications, hiring plans, insurance, technology, and overall truck maintenance and management shows your commitment to the details and presents a helpful bird’s-eye view of every facet of your operation.

Box truck businesses may come with more requirements than other small businesses, mostly due to regulations around moving goods and road safety. Check with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for a complete list, and be prepared to include:

• A business license

• A state-issued employer identification number (EIN), if you plan to hire drivers

• Form BOC-3 

• Motor Carrier Number (MCN) and USDOT number

• Commercial auto insurance (liability insurance, cargo insurance, collision, and equipment repair)

• Federal and state permits, like Unified Carrier Registration (UCR), if you’re crossing state lines

Financial plan

The financial section of your box truck business plan is a place to map out how you’ll finance your company and manage costs and revenue. Detail both the startup expenses of your box truck business, including the truck, licensing, and other certifications, and recurring expenses like fuel and maintenance. 

Explain whether you’ll be using personal savings as you get started, seeking a grant or small business loan, or working with private investors. From there, you can address the next few years of business:

• Projected revenue. Explain what income will flow into your business (e.g., from jobs and contracts). If you’re launching a new company, you’ll need to make estimates based on forecasted sales. 

• Projected expenses. This is an account of your expected operating costs, including fuel, vehicle maintenance, and ongoing licensing costs.

• Business capital. Outline the capital you have on hand. This could be money you’re contributing yourself or from friends and family, or it could be money you plan to raise.

If you’ve been in business for a while, include financial statements like:

• A balance sheet. A record of your business’s assets and liabilities.

• A cash flow statement. The cash flowing in and out of your business over a specific period.

• An income statement. Also known as a profit and loss statement, this shows the company’s income and expenditures over a specific period.

Marketing plan

The marketing section of your box truck business plan should address how you plan to find, attract, and keep customers. This should be a multipronged approach that includes traditional advertising alongside techniques like local SEO, which ensures potential customers find your business online. Consider complementary marketing strategies like:

• Load boards. Load boards are online marketplaces where freight brokers can connect with carriers and truck owners and operators. Post detailed information about the services you provide, the areas you cover, and your rates.

• A company website. Your marketing efforts should all lead back to a functional, high-quality, well-designed website. Making one is easier than ever, thanks to intuitive website builders like Shopify. A clear and easy-to-navigate website, with contact forms for quotes and questions, client testimonials, and information about your brand, is one of the best ways to establish credibility.

• Social media. Some box truck owners and experts like Bigg Vic and Entre Mike have a presence on social media. This is especially big on YouTube, where experts dispense insights and answer logistical questions for newcomers to the industry. As you gain more experience, this style of thought leadership might appeal to you, especially once you notice patterns or develop successful techniques on the road. If you’re just starting, posting testimonials from happy customers can help to set you and your business apart.

• In-person networking. Outline a few ideas for how to meet customers where they are, whether that’s visiting small local businesses or attending industry conventions and events for your target clients.