Load profit & rate per mile calculator
Check a load before you book it: rate per loaded mile, rate per total mile including deadhead, fuel cost, factoring fee and the profit left after your costs.
How to use it
- Enter the rate the broker offers, any fuel surcharge, the loaded miles, and how far you drive empty to reach the pickup.
- Enter your diesel price, MPG and your non-fuel cost per mile (from the cost per mile calculator).
- Add tolls or lumper fees and your factoring rate if you factor.
- Check the profit and the break-even rate. If the offer is below break-even, counter or pass.
The formula
Profit = rate + extras − factoring fee − (loaded + deadhead miles) × (diesel ÷ MPG + other cost per mile) − tolls and fees.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good rate per mile?
It depends on your costs. A good rate is one that beats your own cost per mile on all the miles the load makes you drive, including deadhead. Work out your number with the cost per mile calculator first.
Loaded RPM or all-miles RPM?
Brokers quote rate per loaded mile. Your costs happen on every mile, so compare the all-miles rate (rate ÷ loaded + deadhead miles) with your cost per mile.
Where does the factoring fee come in?
If you factor the invoice, the fee comes off the top of the gross. Enter your factoring percentage to see the profit after it. Use the factoring calculator for reserve and transfer fees.
What should go in “other operating cost per mile”?
Your cost per mile without fuel: truck and trailer payments, insurance, maintenance, tires, software and so on, divided by miles. The calculator adds fuel separately using your MPG and diesel price.
This calculator runs in your browser and nothing you type is sent anywhere. Results are estimates for planning, not tax, legal or financial advice.