Owner-operator guide
Trucking Break-Even Calculator
Your break-even rate is the minimum you need per mile just to cover your operating costs. Any load below it loses money before you pay yourself.
The break-even formula
Break-even revenue = total operating costs ÷ (1 − percentage fees). The percentage adjustment matters: factoring and dispatch are charged on the break-even revenue too.
Break-even per mile = break-even revenue ÷ total miles. Break-even per loaded mile = break-even revenue ÷ loaded miles.
Operating vs. cash break-even
Operating break-even excludes loan principal. Cash break-even adds principal so you see the rate that keeps your bank balance from falling. Neither includes taxes or owner pay.
When you're operating at a loss
If revenue is below break-even, the business loses money on every mile. Options include higher rates, fewer empty miles, better fuel economy or lower costs — test each with real numbers before deciding.
Worked example
| Operating costs before % fees | $170,000/yr |
| Factoring + dispatch | 3% |
| Break-even revenue: $170,000 ÷ 0.97 | $175,258 |
| Total miles | 150,000 |
| Break-even per mile | $1.168 |
Illustrative numbers only.
FAQ
Should my break-even include my own pay?
Break-even as shown covers business operating costs. Add your target owner pay and taxes on top to find the rate you actually need.
Educational estimates only — not tax, legal or financial advice.
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