Key facts
| Minimum rate | Your cost per mile + your profit goal per mile |
|---|---|
| Count every mile | Divide the pay by loaded + deadhead miles |
| Percentage fees | Dispatch and factoring come off the gross, so raise your minimum to cover them |
| Worked example | $1.20/mi cost + $0.40/mi goal = $1.60/mi minimum (example numbers) |
| Fuel price | Check the weekly EIA diesel average or your own fuel receipts |
Step by step
Know your cost per mile
Add up your monthly fixed costs and per-mile costs and divide by the miles you run. The free CPM calculator does this in a minute.
Set your profit goal
Decide how much you need to make per mile on top of costs, for your pay and for savings and repairs.
Work out the real rate of each load
Divide the total pay by loaded plus deadhead miles. A load that looks high per loaded mile can be low once the empty miles are counted.
Take out percentage fees
If you pay dispatch or factoring as a percentage of the rate, subtract it before comparing the load with your minimum.
Negotiate or pass
If the load is under your minimum, counter with your number or look at whether the next load out of that area makes the trip worth it.
Checklist
- Monthly fixed costs added up
- Per-mile costs for fuel, maintenance and tires
- Profit goal per mile decided
- Deadhead miles included for every load
- Dispatch and factoring fees accounted for
FAQ
Is rate per loaded mile the same as rate per mile?
No. Brokers usually quote per loaded mile, but you pay for every mile, including deadhead. Divide the load's total pay by loaded plus empty miles to compare it with your cost per mile.
Should I take a cheap load to get out of a slow area?
Sometimes a lower-paying load positions you for a much better one. Judge the two loads together: total pay for both divided by total miles for both, compared with your minimum rate.
Where do I find market rates for a lane?
Load boards and rate tools show recent posted and paid rates by lane. Use them to negotiate, but decide whether to take a load by comparing it with your own cost per mile and profit goal.
Want someone to handle it?
Tell us what you need and a Trucking Help Center specialist will reach out, free.
Official sources
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm your exact situation with the agency linked above.