Free tool
Owner-operator cost per mile calculator
Find what each mile really costs you, then what a load has to pay.
Prefer to talk it through? Take the free books check or contact us.
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How it works
How it works
Add your fixed costs for the month (truck payment, insurance, permits, other) and your variable costs (fuel, maintenance, tires, tolls, other). Divide the total by the miles you drove, including empty miles, to get cost per total mile. If you enter loaded miles, the calculator also shows cost per loaded mile, because loaded miles are the ones that get paid. A profit target per total mile is added to the cost to show the revenue needed per mile. Use one month at a time with that month's miles.
FAQ
About this calculator
Which miles do I use?
Total miles for the month, including empty miles. Cost per total mile is the number that tells you whether the business is profitable.
Why show cost per loaded mile?
Because only loaded miles bring in revenue. The empty miles still cost money, so cost per loaded mile is higher.
What costs belong here?
Anything the truck business pays, such as the items in the fields. Your own records and a tax professional decide what is deductible.
Does it cover taxes or my own pay?
No. Add your own pay as a cost if you want it in the number.
Is anything saved?
No. The math runs in your browser and nothing you enter is sent to us.
Related: deadhead percentage and revenue per mile calculator, owner operator cost per mile explained, owner operator trucking tracker. See all free tools. More free tools: ROAS and cost per acquisition, Budget variance calculator, Small business tax deadlines, or see all free tools.
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Excel workbook
Owner-Operator Trucking Income, Expense and Fuel-Tax Log
Know your cost per mile, which loads pay, who owes you and the miles and gallons by state for your quarterly return.
See what is inside ($39) Try the free starter
Also in the Owner-Operator Trucking Bundle: 3 products for $69 instead of $92 separately.