Trucking Cost Per Mile Calculator
Enter your monthly costs and miles. Your true cost per mile, break-even rate, and profit update instantly. Free, private, nothing is stored.
How this calculator works
Your cost per mile is every dollar it takes to keep your truck on the road, divided by the miles you actually run. This tool splits it the way accountants (and smart owner-operators) do:
Fixed cost per mile = (truck payment + insurance + permits + other fixed costs) ÷ monthly miles. These bills arrive whether you drive or not, so the more you drive, the cheaper each mile gets.
Variable cost per mile = fuel cost per mile (diesel price ÷ MPG) + maintenance + tires. These scale with every mile you run.
Break-even rate = fixed + variable cost per mile. Any load paying less than this number per mile is moving your truck at a loss.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my cost per mile?
Add up your fixed monthly costs (truck payment, insurance, permits, parking) and your variable costs for the month (fuel, maintenance, tires), then divide the total by the miles you drove that month. Cost per mile = total monthly costs ÷ total monthly miles.
What is the average cost per mile for owner-operators in 2026?
Most owner-operators run between $1.60 and $2.20 per mile all-in, depending on fuel prices, truck payment, insurance, and how many miles they drive per month. Your own number is what matters: driving more miles spreads fixed costs thinner and lowers your cost per mile.
What is the difference between fixed and variable costs?
Fixed costs stay the same whether the truck moves or not: truck payment, insurance, permits, plates, ELD subscription, parking. Variable costs only happen when you drive: fuel, maintenance, tires. Splitting them shows how much deadhead and low-mileage months really cost you.
Why does my cost per mile matter when booking loads?
Your cost per mile is your break-even rate. Any load that pays less per mile than your cost per mile loses money before you even factor in your own pay. Knowing the number lets you reject unprofitable freight with confidence.
Is this calculator free? Do you store my numbers?
It is 100% free and runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is uploaded, stored, or shared — close the tab and it is gone.