Calculate revenue per total mile, including deadhead, for a more useful comparison.
Know fixed, variable, driver, and maintenance costs before setting a minimum.
Revenue per day and profit per day help compare loads with very different time commitments.
Loaded rate per mile versus total rate per mile
Loaded rate per mile divides load revenue by loaded miles. Total rate per mile divides revenue by loaded miles plus deadhead. The second figure better represents truck movement for that load.
Neither calculation is complete by itself. They do not automatically include time, tolls, fuel price differences, unloading costs, or destination quality.
Know your cost per mile
Use your own records. Generic industry averages can be a reference, but equipment payment, insurance, fuel economy, maintenance condition, driver compensation, and annual mileage vary greatly.
- Fuel and diesel exhaust fluid
- Maintenance and tire reserve
- Truck and trailer payment or depreciation
- Insurance and permits
- Driver compensation
- Tolls, parking, and scales
- Administrative and compliance costs
Add a time-based view
A load that pays well per mile may still produce weak daily revenue if it includes long dwell, a slow multi-stop schedule, or an appointment that occupies an extra day.
Calculate revenue per truck day and estimated profit per truck day. This makes short, long, and multi-day loads easier to compare.
Use a decision dashboard
A practical load decision combines total rate per mile, estimated cost, expected profit, time occupied, broker risk, and destination outlook. No single number should make the entire decision.
What to do next
Calculate trailing cost per mile
Use recent operating expenses and total miles from your own records.
Separate fixed and variable costs
Understand which costs continue while parked and which increase with mileage.
Compare profit by mile and day
Use both measures to expose loads that look strong from only one angle.
Update assumptions monthly
Fuel, repairs, insurance, and utilization change. Your minimum should change with them.
Final checklist
Questions about this topic
What is a good rate per mile?
A good rate covers your actual costs, compensates the time and risk, supports profit, and positions the truck well. The number changes by equipment, market, season, and operation.
Should fuel surcharge be included in rate per mile?
Include all agreed load revenue when comparing the complete move, while tracking linehaul and fuel surcharge separately for accounting and analysis.
Can cost per mile fall when I drive more?
Fixed cost per mile may decline as productive mileage increases, but variable costs and maintenance exposure also rise. Evaluate total profit and equipment sustainability.
This guide provides general operational information, not legal, tax, insurance, safety, or financial advice. Verify requirements with the appropriate professional and current regulations.
