Load Profitability Calculator
See profit per mile and net earnings on any trucking load before you accept it.
This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial, medical, legal, or engineering advice. See Terms of Service.
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Before accepting any load, you need to know if it actually makes money after expenses. This calculator gives you an instant profit check so you can negotiate with confidence or walk away from bad loads.
- Enter the load rate. This is the total dollar amount the broker or shipper is offering for the load.
- Enter total miles. Use the loaded miles only for this calculation. If you need to factor in deadhead, use the Deadhead Calculator separately.
- Enter fuel cost per mile. Use your actual fuel cost per mile. If you do not know it, use the Fuel Cost Per Mile Calculator first.
- Add tolls, maintenance, and other expenses. Include any per-trip costs specific to this run, such as weigh station fees, permits, or driver bonuses.
- Read your result. Green profit means the load pays. Negative numbers mean you will lose money at that rate.
About the Load Profitability Calculator
Net load profit equals total rate minus all variable expenses. The key metric most experienced operators watch is profit per mile, not total profit. A 1,200-mile load paying $500 profit looks better than a 200-mile load paying $200 profit in absolute terms, but the short load generates $1.00/mi profit versus $0.42/mi. Fixed costs like truck payments and insurance are the same whether you are moving or sitting, so maximizing profitable miles per day matters more than maximizing rate on any single load.
Frequently Asked Questions
What profit per mile should I target as an owner-operator?
After fuel, most owner-operators target $0.80-$1.50 per mile in net profit before fixed costs (insurance, truck payment, compliance). After fixed costs, a sustainable target is $0.30-$0.80 per mile in take-home pay. Your actual target depends on your fixed cost structure and desired income.
Should I include deadhead miles in the profitability calculation?
Yes, for a complete picture. If you drive 100 deadhead miles to pick up a 400-mile load, your effective rate per mile is the load rate divided by 500 total miles, not 400. Use the Deadhead Calculator to factor in empty-mile fuel cost, then subtract from your load rate before entering it here.
What counts as a bad load?
A load is generally considered unprofitable if the rate per mile is below your all-in cost per mile (fuel + maintenance + fixed costs per mile). For most Class 8 owner-operators, any rate below $2.00-$2.25 per mile is worth scrutinizing. Below $1.75/mi is typically a money-loser after all costs.
How do I estimate maintenance cost per trip?
Take your annual maintenance spending and divide by annual miles to get a per-mile maintenance cost. A well-maintained semi typically costs $0.10-$0.20 per mile in maintenance. Multiply by trip miles to get per-trip maintenance cost. Many operators use $0.15/mi as a rule of thumb.