T TruckCost DeskCost per mile and minimum rate for owner-operators.
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Owner-Operator Cost Per Mile Calculator

Know your cost per mile and the minimum rate to accept before you take a load.

🔒 Everything is calculated in your browser. Your numbers never leave your device.

Operation

Fixed costs / month

Running costs per mile

Cost per mile$1.37Fixed $0.53 · Running $0.84
Break-even rate$1.61Per loaded mile
Rate for your target pay$2.43Pay $70,000
Yearly profit$67,347Margin 33%

Cost per mile breakdown

Fuel$0.57
Truck & trailer$0.28
Insurance$0.18
Maintenance$0.17
Tires & tolls$0.10
Other fixed$0.07
  • Defaults are starting points: replace them with your own numbers. Pre-tax; target pay is treated as desired profit, not a cost.

How it works

  1. Enter yearly miles, deadhead percentage and your usual rate.
  2. Add monthly fixed costs: truck payment, insurance, permits.
  3. Add fuel, maintenance, tires and tolls per mile.
  4. Read cost per mile, break-even rate and the rate for your target pay.

Why cost per mile matters

Brokers quote a rate per loaded mile. If it is below your break-even rate you lose money on every load, even when the truck is moving. Deadhead miles make the loaded rate you need higher.

Fixed vs running costs

Truck payment, insurance and permits are fixed. Fuel, repairs and tires grow with miles. Fewer miles spreads fixed costs over fewer miles and raises your cost per mile.

Frequently asked questions

What cost per mile is typical?

It varies widely by operation and year. Use your own numbers; defaults are only a starting point.

Does it include taxes?

No. Results are before income and self-employment tax.

What is deadhead?

Miles driven without a load, as a share of total miles.

Is my data saved?

Only in your browser.