BlueCollar Fleet's Load Check is free forever: real truck road miles, your own cost per mile, and TAKE IT / NEGOTIATE / PASS on every offer.
How to tell if a load pays
A rate only means something next to your own costs. A $2,450 load can be great for one truck and a loser for another. Here's the math the calculator does:
- Total miles = loaded miles + deadhead miles. Deadhead is unpaid, but your truck still burns fuel and wears tires getting to the pickup.
- Rate per total mile = rate ÷ total miles. This is what your truck actually earns per mile driven, and it's usually lower than the rate per loaded mile a broker quotes.
- Break-even rate = total miles × your cost per mile + tolls and other load costs. Below this number you lose money.
- Profit = rate − break-even. Divide by total miles for profit per mile.
- Counter-offer = break-even + the profit you want per mile × total miles.
TAKE IT, NEGOTIATE or PASS
TAKE IT means the load beats your target profit per mile. NEGOTIATE means it covers your costs but not your target, so counter with the number shown. PASS means the load loses money at this rate.
Questions
What is a good rate per mile for an owner-operator?
It depends on your own cost per mile. A good rate covers your cost per mile on every mile driven, including deadhead, plus the profit you want. Work out your cost per mile first, then use this calculator to compare offers.
Should I count deadhead miles?
Yes. Deadhead miles cost fuel, tires and time even though nobody pays for them. Dividing the rate by loaded plus deadhead miles shows what the load really pays.
How do I calculate a counter-offer?
Take your break-even rate (total miles times your cost per mile, plus tolls and fees) and add the profit you want per mile times the total miles. That's the lowest rate that hits your target.
Is this calculator free?
Yes. It's free with no sign-up. BlueCollar Fleet's Load Check in the app is also free forever and adds truck road miles, lane history and broker checks.