Why cost per mile decides everything
Most owner-operators who fail don't fail because freight is slow. They fail because they haul loads below their true cost per mile without knowing it. Your cost per mile is your break-even line: every load above it builds your business, every load below it quietly drains your bank account.
A typical owner-operator's all-in cost runs between $1.60 and $2.20 per mile once fuel, truck payment, insurance, maintenance, and permits are counted. That's why a load paying $2.00 a mile can be a good load for one trucker and a losing load for another.
How to use the Load Profit Check
- Enter the total rate the broker offers, not the per-mile rate.
- Always include deadhead — empty miles burn the same fuel as loaded ones.
- Your "other costs per mile" is your cost per mile minus fuel. If you don't know it, run the Cost Per Mile tool once with last month's numbers and write it down.
Common questions
What's a good rate per mile right now? It depends on your lane and equipment, but the honest answer is: any rate above your own cost per mile with a margin you can live on. Know your number and the market can't fool you.
Does deadhead really matter? Yes. A $2.50/mile load with 200 deadhead miles can pay worse than a $2.10/mile load picked up nearby. This calculator counts every mile your truck moves.
Is this free? Completely. No account, no email, nothing stored. It runs entirely on your phone.