Know your real cost per mile before you quote a load
If you do not know your operating baseline, you do not know your profit — you are guessing. Put in your own numbers below and get your true cost per mile. It runs in your browser; nothing you type is uploaded or saved.
Your cost per mile
Use your own real figures. Rough numbers give a rough answer — that is still better than no answer.
What this does: Fixed per mile = fixed monthly costs ÷ miles. Fuel per mile = diesel ÷ MPG. Total cost/mile adds fixed, fuel, maintenance and other. The break-even on loaded miles spreads that cost over only the miles that actually pay (loaded miles = total × (1 − deadhead%)). The target rate adds your margin on top. Nothing here is uploaded.
Got your number? Now catch the loads that beat it.
Pull an instant truckload quote for any equipment type, then use the free tools to make sure the rate con and the settlement are fair.
Get An Instant QuoteQuotes are provided by our partner, Freight Sidekick. We may earn a commission when you book. This calculator is an informational estimate from the numbers you enter — not accounting advice.
How to use it
- Fixed costs are what you owe whether the truck rolls or not: truck payment, insurance, permits, ELD, plates, parking, phone.
- Variable is per-mile wear: maintenance, tires, and anything else that scales with distance. Fuel is handled separately from diesel price and MPG.
- Deadhead matters — empty miles cost money and earn none, so your real break-even is on loaded miles only.
- Set a target margin and the tool shows the rate per mile you need to quote to actually keep money.