Percentage vs. CPM: How to Choose the Right Pay Plan at Road Legends

One of the biggest decisions drivers face when stepping into a lease purchase is how they get paid. Some drivers prefer the upside of percentage pay, while others want the consistency and predictability of a fixed CPM. At Road Legends, drivers aren’t forced into a single model — you can choose between 75% of Gross Revenue or a fixed Cents Per Mile (CPM) rate based on how you want to run.

This pay breakdown is one part of our complete overview of the Road Legends Lease Purchase Program, where we explain how lease structure, fuel costs, equipment, and flexibility all work together to support professional drivers.

This article is part of our complete overview of the Road Legends Lease Purchase Program, where we break down how lease structure, pay options, fuel costs, equipment, and flexibility work together for professional drivers.

The Road Legends Lease Purchase Program: An Honest Guide to Ownership
 

Understanding the Break-Even Point

To make a smart decision between percentage pay and CPM, you need to understand one simple concept: break-even.

Break-even is the point where both pay options deliver the same result — after that, one option becomes clearly better than the other depending on market conditions and lanes.
 

The CPM Guarantee

On our standard Flatbed Lease, drivers earn up to $1.95 per mile on a fixed CPM structure.

This option offers:

• Consistent weekly pay

• Protection from short-term rate drops

• Easier budgeting and planning

For drivers who value stability and predictability, CPM removes a lot of guesswork from weekly settlements.
 

The Percentage Pay Potential (75% of Line Haul)

With 75% of Gross Line Haul, the upside comes when freight rates are strong.

Here’s the math:

• To match $1.95 CPM on a 75% split, the load needs to pay $2.60 per mile

• ( $2.60 × 75% = $1.95 )

When rates climb above that threshold, percentage pay begins to outperform CPM — sometimes significantly.
 

What’s Included in the 75%

It’s important to understand what that 75% of line haul actually covers.

At Road Legends:

• Trailer rent is included

• Cargo insurance is included

Some carriers advertise a higher percentage on paper, but then charge weekly trailer rent and cargo insurance separately. When those costs are deducted, the real take-home often ends up much closer than it first appears.

Our approach is designed to keep settlements clean and predictable, so drivers can focus on running freight instead of tracking add-on charges.
 

Choosing the Right Strategy

There’s no universal “best” option. The right choice depends on how and where you run.

Choose Percentage (75%) if you:

• Regularly run high-value lanes (such as the Midwest or Northeast)

• Want to capture upside when rates exceed $2.60 per mile

• Prefer income tied directly to freight strength

Choose CPM ($1.95) if you:

• Prefer peace of mind and predictable income

• Want consistency regardless of spot-market swings

• Value easier weekly planning and budgeting

Both options are designed to support different operating styles — not force drivers into a one-size-fits-all plan.
 

The Conestoga Factor: Trading Rate for Lifestyle

Drivers running in the Conestoga division have another option to consider.

The fixed Conestoga rate is $1.80 CPM, which naturally raises the question: why lower than standard flatbed?

The answer comes down to equipment cost and physical workload.
 

The Lifestyle Upgrade

Conestoga trailers eliminate tarping:

• Slide the curtain

• Secure the load

• Roll

No climbing. No wrestling heavy tarps in wind, rain, or snow.
 

The Trade-Off

The slightly lower CPM helps offset the higher cost of specialized Conestoga equipment. For many drivers, that trade-off is worth it — especially for those looking to reduce physical strain and extend their driving career without sacrificing consistency.
 

The Bottom Line

Pay structure alone won’t make or break a lease purchase, but choosing the right pay model for your lanes, division, and lifestyle can dramatically reduce stress and improve consistency.

At Road Legends, the goal isn’t to push drivers into a single option — it’s to give you the flexibility to run the way that makes the most sense for your business.

Whether you want to:

• Chase higher rates with percentage pay

• Lock in consistency with CPM

• Prioritize long-term comfort with Conestoga

You still get the same foundation: fuel discounts up to $0.90 per gallon, late-model equipment updated every year, free trailer rent, free cargo insurance, and a support team that knows your name.