Cost Per Mile Calculator
Enter your monthly fixed costs, variable costs, and miles to get your operating cost per mile, break-even rate, and a target rate that includes your profit goal.
Results are estimates only — not financial advice.
Your Results
- Total Monthly Costs
- —
- Operating Cost / Mile
- —
- Break-Even Rate / Mile
- —
- Target Rate (with Profit)
- —
What this calculator does
Your cost per mile is the single most important number in trucking — it tells you the floor below which any load rate destroys money. This calculator divides your total monthly expenses (fixed + variable) by your monthly mileage to give you that floor. Add a profit target and it shows you the rate you actually need to hit to make money.
Inputs explained
- Fixed costs — expenses that don't change with miles: truck payment, insurance, permits, base plate, lease fees.
- Variable costs — expenses that scale with driving: fuel, oil changes, tires, maintenance parts. If you're unsure, estimate fuel separately using the Fuel Cost Calculator and add it here.
- Monthly miles — use your typical monthly average, not your best month. Optimistic miles will understate your true cost per mile.
- Target profit — what you want left over after all costs, before personal income tax.
Formula
Total Costs = Fixed Costs + Variable Costs
Operating Cost / Mile = Total Costs ÷ Monthly Miles
Target Rate / Mile = (Total Costs + Target Profit) ÷ Monthly Miles
Example
$3,500 in fixed costs plus $5,200 in variable costs = $8,700/month total. At 10,000 miles/month: cost per mile = $0.87. With a $4,000 profit target: target rate = $12,700 ÷ 10,000 = $1.27/mile.
These are simplified numbers to show the math. A realistic loaded OTR driver with fuel included typically sees total costs of $1.50–$2.20/mile, depending on truck age, insurance tier, and lane type. Your number is the only one that matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a good cost per mile for an owner-operator?
- Most owner-operators see operating costs in the range of $1.50 to $2.20 per mile, depending on truck age, route type, insurance costs, and fuel efficiency. Newer trucks with high payments push the number up; paid-off trucks with good fuel economy push it down. The key is knowing your own number — not an industry average.
- Should I include my own salary in cost per mile?
- If you are calculating cost per mile to determine break-even and profitability, you should include a realistic owner pay estimate in your fixed or variable costs. Many owner-operators forget to account for their own labor, which skews their profit picture.
- How often should I recalculate my cost per mile?
- Recalculate at least quarterly, or any time a major cost changes — new truck payment, insurance renewal, or a significant shift in diesel prices. Even a $0.20/gallon fuel swing can move your cost per mile by several cents, which matters over thousands of miles.
- What costs count as fixed vs. variable?
- Fixed costs stay the same regardless of miles driven: truck payment, insurance, permits, and any lease fees. Variable costs scale with miles: fuel, oil changes, tires, and maintenance parts. Some costs like maintenance fall in between — budget a consistent monthly amount even though actual spending fluctuates.
Disclaimer: Results are estimates based on the numbers you enter. This tool does not account for every cost category. Not financial advice — verify with a qualified accountant.