Austin, Minnesota — Long Haul Trucking’s 74‑year‑old owner‑operator, Gary Schloo, was named Overdrive’s Trucker of the Month for April, marking a milestone in a career that spans more than thirty years of leasing to the company.
When Jason Michels, the company’s CEO, first crossed paths with Schloo in a West Virginia loading bay during one of Michels’ inaugural trips, Schloo was already in his third decade of long‑haul trucking. Michels, who began his own driving career as an owner‑operator in the late 1990s and spent only five years behind the wheel before moving into management, followed Schloo back to Minnesota. “I learned as much on that run as any young owner‑operator could ever be fortunate enough to learn,” Michels said. The exchange set the tone for a relationship built on practical experience and a shared respect for the rigors of the road.
Schloo’s reputation in the industry comes from a razor‑sharp focus on numbers. He can recite his overall cost‑per‑mile and break down every expense—fuel, maintenance, tires—down to the cent. His day‑minder books, kept in his Austin office and shop, are a testament to that discipline. “I’ve got a calculator in the truck,” he explains. “Right now, I do things by the week. I can tell you last week, last month, or even what I did 17 years ago for the same month.” That level of detail feeds into a broader financial strategy: a two‑acre property near his childhood home, a reserve for taxes and equipment, and a retirement fund that has allowed him to consider stepping away at ages 66, 69, 70, 71, and 72. Yet each time, the pull of the open road and the satisfaction of a self‑employed check keep him driving.
What This Means for Drivers
Owner‑operators can take a page from Schloo’s playbook by treating every trip as a data point. Accurate, weekly cost tracking helps identify profitable routes and reveals hidden expenses that erode margins. For CDL‑A drivers eyeing long‑haul opportunities, maintaining detailed logs can also satisfy FMCSA compliance and boost credibility with carriers. Schloo’s example shows that disciplined bookkeeping is not just about accounting; it’s a strategic tool that can make or break a driver’s financial independence.
Industry Reaction
While Overdrive’s recognition is a personal honor for Schloo, it also signals to trucking companies hiring that veteran drivers bring more than experience—they bring a proven business model. Fleet managers and carriers often seek owner‑operators who can self‑manage costs, reduce downtime, and maintain high safety standards. Schloo’s long‑standing relationship with Long Haul Trucking illustrates how a driver’s meticulous record‑keeping and financial foresight can translate into reliability and profitability for the carrier.
Key Points
- Schloo tracks cost‑per‑mile to the cent, enabling precise budgeting.
- His day‑minder books span 17 years, offering a historical view of expenses.
- A dedicated savings plan allows him the option to retire early, yet he remains on the road.
- Being named Overdrive Trucker of the Month places him in contention for 2024 Trucker of the Year.
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