Owner-operator guide
Trucking Cost Per Mile Calculator
Cost per mile tells you what every mile costs to run. Compare it with your revenue per mile to know if your rates work.
How to calculate cost per mile
Cost per mile = total annual operating costs ÷ total annual miles. Use loaded and empty miles together.
Split it into fixed costs (payments, insurance, permits) that you owe whether you drive or not, and variable costs (fuel, maintenance, tires, tolls) that rise with miles.
Why fixed costs change your CPM
Fixed costs are spread over your miles. Drive fewer miles and each mile carries more fixed cost — that's why weeks off can raise your cost per mile.
Fuel cost per mile
Fuel per mile = price per gallon ÷ MPG. At $3.80 and 6.5 MPG, that's about $0.585 per mile before any other cost.
Worked example
| Fixed costs | $60,000/yr |
| Variable costs incl. fuel | $110,000/yr |
| Total miles | 150,000 |
| Fixed cost per mile | $0.400 |
| Variable cost per mile | $0.733 |
| Total cost per mile | $1.133 |
Illustrative numbers only.
FAQ
What's a good cost per mile?
It depends on your equipment, lanes and freight. What matters is that your revenue per mile stays comfortably above your own cost per mile.
Educational estimates only — not tax, legal or financial advice.
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