Trucking Cost Per Mile Calculator
Your true cost per mile, break-even rate, and profit against what you charge
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Quick summary
Enter your monthly fixed costs (truck payment, insurance, permits), variable costs (fuel, maintenance, other), and miles driven to get your true cost per mile — your break-even rate. Add the rate you charge to see profit per mile and monthly profit. At $9,000 total monthly cost over 10,000 miles, cost per mile is $0.90; charging $2.50/mile yields $1.60 profit per mile and $16,000 a month. Empty (deadhead) miles raise your real cost, since fixed costs spread over fewer paid miles.
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 do I calculate cost per mile for trucking?
Add all your monthly costs — fixed (truck payment, insurance, permits, ELD) and variable (fuel, maintenance, tolls) — and divide by miles driven that month. That figure is your break-even rate per mile: charge below it and you lose money. This calculator splits fixed and variable so you can see each per mile.
What is a typical owner-operator cost per mile?
It varies with fuel and equipment, but many owner-operators land somewhere around $1.50–$2.00 all-in per mile, with fuel and truck payments the largest pieces. Your number depends on your specific costs and how many miles you run. Enter your actuals for a real figure rather than a rule of thumb.
Why do empty miles raise my cost per mile?
Fixed costs (payment, insurance) accrue whether the truck is loaded or empty, so they spread over fewer paid miles when you deadhead. Every unpaid mile pushes your effective cost per paid mile higher. Minimizing empty miles — through better load planning — is one of the biggest levers on profitability.
What rate per mile do I need to be profitable?
Anything above your cost per mile (the break-even rate this calculator shows) earns profit. How much margin you need depends on your goals and how consistent your miles are. Because slow weeks and deadhead reduce paid miles, target a rate comfortably above break-even, not right at it.
Key terms
- Cost Per Mile
- Total operating cost ÷ miles driven; your break-even rate.
- Fixed Costs
- Costs that don't change with miles — truck payment, insurance, permits.
- Variable Costs
- Costs that scale with miles — fuel, maintenance, tolls.
- Deadhead
- Driving empty (unpaid) miles, which raises effective cost per paid mile.
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.