Trucker Tools
Trucking Cost per Mile Calculator
Cost per mile is everything the truck costs in a month divided by the miles it ran that month. Add fixed costs (payments, insurance, permits) and per-mile costs (fuel, maintenance, tires, pay), then divide by total miles. Your break-even rate is the monthly cost divided by loaded miles only, because deadhead earns nothing.
The formulas
- Fixed cost per month = monthly fixed costs + yearly costs / 12
- Fixed cost per mile = fixed cost per month / total miles
- Fuel cost per mile = fuel price per gallon / miles per gallon
- Variable cost per mile = fuel + maintenance + tires + pay + other per-mile costs + (tolls and other monthly running costs / total miles)
- Total cost per mile = fixed cost per mile + variable cost per mile
- Break-even rate per loaded mile = total cost per month / (total miles x (1 - deadhead %))
- Rate for a target margin = break-even rate / (1 - margin %)
Worked example
Made-up round numbers to show the math, not averages or advice:
- Fixed: $6,000 a month (payments, insurance, office and $3,600 a year in plates and permits). 10,000 miles a month: $6,000 / 10,000 = $0.600 a mile.
- Variable: fuel $4.00 / 6.5 mpg = $0.615, maintenance $0.15, tires $0.05, tolls $500 / 10,000 = $0.05. Total $0.865 a mile.
- Total cost: $1.465 a mile, or $14,653.85 for the month.
- Deadhead 10%: 9,000 loaded miles. Break-even = $14,653.85 / 9,000 = $1.628 per loaded mile.
- Target margin 10%: $1.628 / 0.90 = $1.809 per loaded mile.
No driver pay was entered in this example, so it shows the truck's cost alone.
Notes
- This page uses no industry averages. Every number comes from you, so the answer is only as good as your records.
- Fuel tax paid at the pump is already in your fuel price. If you file IFTA, the quarterly return settles the difference by state: see the IFTA calculator.
- Income tax, per diem and depreciation are left out on purpose. They change what you keep, not what a mile costs to run. The per diem calculator covers meals on the road.
FAQ
How do I calculate cost per mile for a truck?
Add up everything the truck costs in a month, fixed and variable, then divide by all the miles it ran that month, loaded and empty. Fixed costs are payments, insurance and permits. Variable costs are fuel, maintenance, tires and pay. Fuel per mile is the price per gallon divided by miles per gallon.
What is a break-even rate per mile?
It is the lowest rate per loaded mile that covers every cost for the month. Divide the total monthly cost by loaded miles only. Deadhead miles earn nothing, so a truck that runs 10% empty needs about 11% more per loaded mile than its cost per mile across all miles.
What is a good cost per mile for an owner-operator?
There is no single right number. It depends on your truck payment, fuel, lanes, miles and what you pay yourself. This calculator uses only the numbers you enter, with no industry averages. Track your real costs for a few months, then use your own figures as the baseline when you quote loads.
Should driver pay be part of cost per mile?
Yes, if you want a true break-even. An owner-operator who leaves out their own pay can price loads that cover the truck but not the person driving it. Enter what you pay yourself or a driver per mile in the pay box, or leave it blank to see the truck's cost alone.
Free every Sunday
Get the free Sunday Roundup
Get new Trucker Tools and printables in the Sunday roundup.
Sources
- IRS, About Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return
- IFTA, Inc. fuel tax rate matrix (current quarter rates)
Disclaimer: For general information and planning. Tax rates and rules change and your situation may differ. Check the official source and a tax professional before you file. Not legal or tax advice.
Updated . See something wrong? Tell me.