Trucking Cost-Per-Mile & Load Profit Calculator
Before you take the load, run the numbers. Deadhead, fuel, tolls and your fixed costs in; real profit, rate per mile and profit per hour out. Everything updates as you type and nothing leaves your browser.
The load
Fuel
Other costs
Time
Estimated profit on this load
$1,142
$2,400 rate minus $1,258 costs over 1,025 total miles
Rate per loaded mile
$2.53
Rate per total mile
$2.34
includes deadhead
Cost per mile
$1.23
Profit per mile
$1.11
Profit per hour
$52.80
21.6 h incl. dock time
Break-even rate
$1.32
per loaded mile
Cost breakdown
- Fuel (158 gal)$591
- Fixed costs$666
- Driver pay$0
- Tolls$0
- Other$0
Estimates only. Drive time ignores hours-of-service rest; use the HOS calculator for multi-day runs.
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Frequently asked questions
- How do I calculate my trucking cost per mile?
- Add up every cost for the trip (fuel, tolls, driver pay, lumpers, plus your fixed costs such as the truck payment, insurance and maintenance spread per mile) and divide by total miles driven, loaded and deadhead together.
- Should deadhead miles count?
- Yes. Empty miles burn the same fuel and wear the truck the same as loaded ones. A load that looks good per loaded mile can lose money once a long deadhead is added, so this calculator shows rate per loaded mile and per total mile.
- What is a break-even rate?
- The rate per loaded mile at which the load covers all its costs with zero profit. Anything below it loses money; it is the number to know before you negotiate with a broker.
- How do I estimate fixed cost per mile?
- Take your monthly fixed costs (truck and trailer payments, insurance, permits, ELD, phone, parking) plus a maintenance allowance, and divide by the miles you run in a typical month.
- Why look at profit per hour?
- Short loads with long dock waits can pay well per mile but poorly for your time. Profit per hour, including load and unload time, makes loads of different lengths comparable.
More free driver tools
Hours-of-service calculator
How long you can still drive, when your 30-minute break is due, and how long a trip really takes under the 11/14/60/70 rules.
Fuel cost estimator
Gallons and dollars for any trip from miles, MPG and the diesel price, plus idle or reefer fuel if you run it.
Route planner
Multi-stop route with the best stop order, drive time, and the rest stops hours-of-service will force on you.