Lease purchase programs sell drivers on big gross revenue numbers. What they don't always show you is the full list of what comes out before you see a dollar. Here's the complete, honest expense model — straight from how we structure it at Hylas Companion.
What 'Gross Revenue' Actually Means in Lease
In a lease purchase program, you earn a percentage of the gross freight revenue — typically 85–90%. At Hylas Companion, lease drivers earn 88% of gross. On a 2,500-mile week at $4.50/mile flatbed rates, that's $9,900 gross. Sounds excellent. Now let's look at what comes out.
The Real Weekly Expense Stack
- Fuel — 2,500 mi ÷ 7 mpg × $6/gal = $2,143
- Truck note — $600–$800/week (avg $700)
- Trailer lease — $300/week
- Cargo insurance — $250/week
- Physical damage insurance — $220–$280/week (avg $250)
- ELD — $115/week
- Escrow — $200/week for first 10 weeks only
- Maintenance fund ($0.10/mi) — $250/week at 2,500 miles
- Direct deposit fee — $15/week
- Roadside assistance (optional) — $50/week
Total Weekly Expenses (2,500 mi)
~$4,323 in expenses against $9,900 gross = ~$5,577 net. Your actual take-home is about 56% of gross revenue — not 88%.
The Escrow Trap to Understand
Escrow is a deposit the carrier holds for the first 10 weeks — $200/week at our program, so $2,000 total. This is returned to you at the end of your lease term or when you exit the program with good standing. It's not gone — but it is tied up. Many programs don't explain this clearly. Know it going in.
Fuel Is the Biggest Variable
At $6/gallon and 7 mpg average, you're spending $0.857 per mile just on fuel. In 2020, that number was $0.54/mile. Fuel is the expense that changes your math the most — and it's the one you can't control. Every 50¢ move in diesel price is $178/week on a 2,500-mile schedule. Budget conservatively.
When Lease Purchase Makes Sense
Lease purchase is worth it when: you're disciplined about expenses and have cash reserves, you plan to own the truck outright, and you're running consistent high-revenue freight. It's not worth it if you need to guarantee a specific weekly take-home or if you're just starting your driving career. A company driver earning 85¢ CPM takes home $2,125/week with zero expenses — compare that to your lease net before you commit.
At Hylas Companion our Gross Pay Calculator shows you the exact math for any equipment type, any mileage level. Run the numbers before you sign.