Hoyt Moore of Hoyt's Truck Center | Ep 5

In this episode of Miles and Mentors, Hoyt Moore, owner of Hoyt’s Truck Center, Hoyt’s Trailer Center, and a successful trucking company, shares his journey through the industry. With decades of experience in truck repair, leasing, and fleet management, Hoyt provides valuable insights into what it takes to build a sustainable trucking business.

Hoyt’s introduction to trucking started at a young age, working in his father’s tire shop in Fort Collins, Colorado. By the age of ten, he was already changing tires, and by fourteen, he was performing service calls with his sisters driving him to jobs before he even had a license. At eighteen, he obtained his CDL and quickly moved up the ranks, eventually running his own repair shop and growing into fleet ownership.

His hands-on experience as a driver, mechanic, and business owner has shaped his understanding of the industry. He emphasizes that trucking success comes from a deep understanding of costs, efficiency, and long-term planning. He shares how he transitioned from being an owner-operator to running multiple businesses, focusing on cost per mile, equipment longevity, and building a company that could withstand market fluctuations.

A key takeaway from the conversation is the importance of managing fuel efficiency and maintenance costs. Hoyt stresses that fuel is the biggest expense in trucking, and operators must be strategic in where they purchase fuel and how they manage vehicle efficiency. He also highlights the importance of quality equipment, sharing how investing in better tires and preventative maintenance saves money in the long run.

Another major discussion point is the difficulty of scaling a trucking business. Hoyt explains that running a five-to-ten-truck operation today is extremely challenging due to rising costs, regulations, and market volatility. He advises that carriers looking to scale should aim for fifteen to twenty-five trucks to maintain profitability. He also stresses the importance of financial discipline, encouraging owner-operators to separate their personal income from business expenses and reinvest profits into their company rather than spending recklessly during high-revenue periods.

Hoyt also addresses one of the biggest struggles in the industry—truck parking. With rest areas disappearing and truck stops filling up quickly, he believes that state and federal governments need to invest in infrastructure that supports drivers, including more rest areas with dedicated truck parking.

For those starting in the industry, Hoyt’s advice is clear: work hard, take the time to learn, and don’t rush into ownership without fully understanding the financial risks. He encourages new drivers to start as company drivers, build experience, and gradually move toward ownership once they have a strong financial foundation.

If you are starting a trucking business or growing your fleet and need expert guidance, reach out to us today—our industry expert partners can help you make the right decisions for long-term success.