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How to calculate your cost per mile
Cost per mile is everything it costs to run your truck for a month, divided by the miles you drive that month. Split it into two parts:
- Fixed costs you pay whether the truck moves or not: truck and trailer payments, insurance, ELD, phone, permits, parking. Divide the monthly total by your monthly miles.
- Running costs that grow with every mile: fuel (fuel price ÷ MPG), maintenance and tires, and pay per mile.
Add the two together and you have your cost per mile. Any load that pays less than this per total mile (including deadhead) loses money.
Why the number changes
Fewer miles in a slow month spreads the same fixed costs over less road, so your cost per mile goes up. That's why it's worth recalculating every month, or letting an app track it from your real fuel and expense receipts.
Questions
What is cost per mile in trucking?
It's the total cost of running your truck for a period, divided by the miles driven in that period. It includes fixed costs like payments and insurance and running costs like fuel, maintenance, tires and pay.
Should I include my own pay?
Yes. If you leave your pay out, the number only tells you when the truck breaks even, not when you do. Include what you want to earn per mile.
How often should I recalculate it?
Monthly is a good habit, and any time fuel prices, insurance or your truck payment change. Slow months raise your cost per mile because fixed costs are spread over fewer miles.
What do I do with my cost per mile?
Use it to judge every load: multiply total miles (loaded plus deadhead) by your cost per mile to get the break-even rate. The load profit calculator does this for you.