Empty miles are 10% of the trip. Still worth checking against the next available load.
Free trucking calculator
Estimate load profit after deadhead, fuel, tolls, and operating costs. Use it for one quick decision, then move into Freight Pilot when you need to compare several loads at once.
Effective rate: $2.62 / mile after 75 empty miles.
Decision checks
Empty miles are 10% of the trip. Still worth checking against the next available load.
Effective rate stays close to gross rate at $2.62 per mile.
Fuel is about 23% of revenue based on your MPG and fuel price.
How to use the result
A load can look strong on rate per mile and still become weak after empty miles, fuel, tolls, and positioning. This calculator gives you a quick one-load estimate. Freight Pilot is built for the next step: comparing multiple loads, ranking options, and keeping your truck assumptions ready.
Gross rate per mile only divides the rate by loaded miles. Effective rate includes deadhead, so it is a better snapshot of what the truck actually has to run.
Fuel is the obvious cost, but maintenance, tires, insurance reserve, tolls, parking, and load-specific fees can change the decision quickly.
A load can be acceptable on its own and still be the wrong choice if another load pays better, has less empty mileage, or positions the truck into a better lane.
Ready for more than one load?
Save truck assumptions, import loads, compare route options, and review why one option ranks better than another.
Calculator FAQs
Effective rate per mile divides the load rate by loaded miles plus deadhead miles. It is often more useful than gross rate per mile because the truck has to run all of those miles.
Yes. Deadhead miles use fuel, time, and equipment life even when they are not paid loaded miles. A load with high deadhead needs stronger pay or better lane positioning.
At minimum, include fuel, tolls, and load-specific costs. For a stricter estimate, add a non-fuel cost per mile for maintenance, tires, insurance reserve, and truck ownership costs.
No. This is a quick estimate. You should still verify appointments, broker terms, accessorials, truck routing, restrictions, parking, weather, and hours-of-service fit.