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.
Rate per loaded mile vs. rate per total mile
Broker boards show rate per loaded mile. But fuel, tires, insurance and your payment don't stop when the trailer is empty. Divide the rate by total miles (loaded plus deadhead) to see what the load really pays per mile you drive.
How to work out your break-even rate
Break-even rate = your cost per mile × total miles. Anything under that loses money. Add the profit you want per mile to get the rate to ask for. Don't know your cost per mile? Use the cost per mile calculator first.
Questions
What's a good rate per mile?
It depends on your own cost per mile. A rate is good when it beats your cost per mile on every mile you'll drive for the load, including deadhead, with room for profit.
Should I count deadhead miles?
Yes. Deadhead costs you fuel, wear and time just like loaded miles, so judge a load by its rate per total mile.
What's a break-even rate?
The total rate where you neither make nor lose money: cost per mile times total miles.