Cost Per Mile Calculator
Know your true operating cost before accepting any load. Enter your fixed and variable expenses to find your breakeven rate and profit targets.
Why Every Owner-Operator Needs to Know Their Cost Per Mile
Your cost per mile is the most important number in your trucking business. Without it, you're guessing on every load — and plenty of carriers accept freight that actually costs them money because they never ran the math. CPM includes everything: fixed costs like your truck payment, insurance, permits, and parking that stay the same whether you run 5,000 or 12,000 miles a month, plus variable costs like fuel, maintenance, tires, and tolls that scale with mileage. Most owner-operators land between $1.50 and $2.50 per mile all-in, but your number depends on your specific situation.
This calculator breaks it down clearly. Enter your monthly fixed expenses and per-mile variable costs, and it shows your total CPM, your breakeven rate, and profit targets at different margins. Once you know your breakeven, you can set a hard floor: never accept a load below that number. We recommend targeting loads at least 20–30% above breakeven to build reserves and cover the unexpected. For a complete breakdown of how dispatchers evaluate loads for profitability, read our owner-operator dispatch guide.
Run this calculator with different monthly mileage scenarios — you'll see how more miles spread your fixed costs and lower your CPM. Then use our fuel cost calculator to dial in your largest variable expense, and our deadhead calculator to see how empty miles erode your effective rate. That's the leverage a good dispatcher provides: keeping you loaded consistently so every fixed-cost dollar works harder.
Fixed Costs (Monthly)
Variable Costs (Per Mile)
Frequently Asked Questions
Your cost per mile is the single most important number in your trucking business. If you don't know your CPM, you can't evaluate whether a load is profitable. Many carriers accept loads that actually lose them money because they don't know their true operating costs. Knowing your CPM lets you set a minimum rate and negotiate from a position of knowledge.
Fixed costs stay the same regardless of miles driven — truck payments, insurance premiums, permits, parking, and loan payments. Variable costs change with mileage — fuel, maintenance, tires, and tolls. Fixed costs per mile decrease as you drive more miles (spreading the cost over more miles), while variable costs remain roughly constant per mile.
Total operating cost typically ranges from $1.50 to $2.50 per mile for owner-operators, depending on equipment age, insurance costs, fuel efficiency, and monthly mileage. Carriers with paid-off trucks can run as low as $1.20/mile, while those with new equipment and high insurance may exceed $2.50/mile.
Your breakeven rate equals your total cost per mile — the rate at which you neither make nor lose money. To be profitable, you need to consistently book loads above your breakeven rate. We recommend targeting loads at least 20-30% above breakeven to maintain healthy margins and build reserves.
Most owner-operators run 8,000-12,000 miles per month. Running more miles spreads your fixed costs over more miles, reducing your CPM. However, more miles also means more maintenance and wear. The sweet spot depends on your equipment, operating area, and personal goals. Use this calculator to compare different monthly mileage scenarios.
We Only Book Loads That Make You Money
Our dispatchers know your operating costs and only present loads that exceed your profit targets. No more guessing — every load is evaluated for profitability.