Truck Driver Pay Calculator
Gross pay from cents-per-mile, stops, detention, and per diem
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Quick summary
Enter your miles and cents-per-mile rate, plus any stop pay, detention, and per diem, to total your pay for a trip or period. At 60¢/mile, 2,500 miles is $1,500 in mileage pay; add three $25 stops and $50 detention for $1,625 taxable, plus a $69/day per diem over 5 days ($345) for $1,970 total. Per diem is typically a non-taxable allowance, shown separately from taxable gross.
Reviewed by Simple Calculators TeamLast reviewed
How to use this calculator
- Enter the inputs requested by the calculator.
- Choose the units or options that match your situation and review the assumptions.
- Run or update the calculation to see the result.
- Review the result, breakdown, and formulas shown on the page.
- Check the inputs, units, dates, and limitations before saving or sharing the result.
Frequently asked questions
How is truck driver pay calculated?
Most over-the-road drivers are paid by the mile: miles × cents-per-mile rate. On top of mileage, drivers often earn stop pay, detention pay for waiting, and layover pay, plus a per diem allowance for meals on the road. This calculator sums mileage and accessorial pay and shows per diem separately.
What is a good cents-per-mile rate?
Rates vary widely by experience, company, freight type, and market — commonly in the range of 45–70+ cents per mile for company drivers, with owner-operators grossing more per mile but covering their own costs. Team and specialized (hazmat, oversize) driving pays more. Enter your actual rate for a precise figure.
Is per diem taxable?
The trucker per diem (a daily meal and incidental expense allowance for nights away from home) is generally non-taxable up to IRS limits, which is why it's shown separately from taxable gross here. It can lower taxable income but may also affect things like Social Security calculations — check with a tax professional for your situation.
What is detention pay?
Detention (or demurrage) pay compensates a driver for excessive time waiting to load or unload beyond a free window, often paid per hour after the first two hours. It offsets lost driving time. Add your detention total to the calculator to include it in gross pay.
Key terms
- Cents Per Mile (CPM)
- The per-mile pay rate most OTR drivers are paid on.
- Accessorial Pay
- Extra pay beyond mileage — stops, detention, layover.
- Per Diem
- A non-taxable daily allowance for meals/incidentals away from home.
- Detention
- Pay for excessive waiting time at a shipper or receiver.
Methodology, sources & limitations
This page shows the formula, assumptions, and limitations used for this estimate. Rates, thresholds, and other time-sensitive inputs can change, so verify them against the relevant official source before relying on a result.
For our review approach and the primary sources we consult, see the methodology and source policy. If you spot an outdated figure or formula, please contact us with a correction.