Load Profitability Calculator
Determine the true profit on any load by accounting for fuel, operating costs, and deadhead miles before you accept the haul.
Results
Visualization
How It Works
Load profitability analysis is essential before accepting any haul. A load that looks great on a rate sheet can be a money loser once you factor in deadhead miles, fuel costs, and operating expenses. This calculator gives you the true bottom-line profit so you can make informed decisions on which loads to book.
The Formula
Worked Example
A load pays $2,800 for 800 loaded miles with 100 deadhead miles. At $0.60 fuel CPM and $0.55 other CPM, total cost = 900 x $1.15 = $1,035. Profit = $2,800 - $1,035 = $1,765 with a 63% margin.
Practical Tips
- Always calculate profit using total miles (loaded + deadhead), not just loaded miles. Negotiate deadhead pay (typically $1.00-$1.50 per mile) for any load requiring more than 50-75 miles of unpaid travel to the shipper.
- A load with a high rate but 200+ deadhead miles can be worse than a lower-rate load nearby. Use relay and drop-and-hook loads when available to reduce waiting time that effectively increases your deadhead cost even when parked.
- Keep your deadhead percentage below 15% as a general rule of thumb. Negotiate deadhead pay (typically $1.00-$1.50 per mile) for any load requiring more than 50-75 miles of unpaid travel to the shipper.
- Factor in detention time costs if the shipper or receiver is known for delays. Research current pricing and specifications from multiple sources before committing, as market conditions and product offerings change frequently.
- Build a personal minimum profit-per-mile threshold and stick to it when booking loads. Keeping a written record of this information helps you make consistent, data-driven decisions over time rather than relying on memory alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good profit margin on a trucking load?
A healthy profit margin for owner-operators is 30% to 50% after all variable costs. Margins below 20% are thin and leave little room for unexpected expenses. Top operators consistently hit 40%+ by being selective with loads.
How much should I budget for cost per mile?
The national average total cost per mile for owner-operators is roughly $1.10 to $1.80 depending on equipment age, fuel prices, and insurance costs. New trucks with payments run higher; paid-off trucks can operate under $1.20/mile.
Should I include truck payment in cost per mile?
Yes. Your truck payment, insurance, permits, and all fixed costs should be divided by your monthly miles to get a true cost per mile. This calculator's 'other cost per mile' field is where you include these.
How do I account for detention time?
Estimate your hourly cost (typically $50-$75/hour for an owner-operator) and add expected detention hours to your load cost. If a shipper consistently causes 4 hours of detention, that is $200-$300 off your profit.
What deadhead percentage is acceptable?
Industry average deadhead is around 12-15% of total miles. Anything over 20% significantly eats into profits. Plan return loads or use load boards to minimize empty miles between hauls.