Stop guessing. Enter your real numbers and see exactly what it costs you to move your truck one mile — so you never take a losing load again.
| Rate/Mile | Profit/Mile | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| $2.00 | +$0.821 | +$7,388 |
| $2.50 | +$1.321 | +$11,888 |
| $3.00 | +$1.821 | +$16,388 |
| $3.50 | +$2.321 | +$20,888 |
| $4.00 | +$2.821 | +$25,388 |
Flintrock OS connects to your fuel cards, tracks every expense, and keeps your cost-per-mile updated in real time. No spreadsheets. No guesswork.
Get Early AccessThe single most important number in your trucking business.
Your cost per mile is the minimum you need to charge just to break even. Every load you take below this number loses you money — even if the rate 'looks good.' Most owner-operators who fail don't fail because they can't find loads. They fail because they don't know their real costs and take loads that slowly bleed them dry.
Fixed costs (truck payment, insurance, permits) stay the same whether you drive 5,000 miles or 15,000 miles. That's why more miles = lower cost per mile. Variable costs (fuel, maintenance) go up with every mile you drive. Understanding this split helps you make smarter decisions about when to deadhead vs. wait for a better load.
Every empty mile raises your real cost per mile because you're burning fuel and putting wear on your truck without generating revenue. If you drive 1,000 deadhead miles per month at 6 MPG and $3.80/gal, that's $633/month in pure loss. Factor deadhead into your rate negotiations.
Three levers: (1) Run more loaded miles to spread fixed costs, (2) Improve fuel efficiency with cruise control, tire pressure, and speed management, (3) Negotiate better rates on insurance and maintenance. Even small improvements compound — saving $0.05/mile over 10,000 miles/month is $6,000/year.
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Common questions about cost per mile for owner-operators.
Cost per mile (CPM) is the total operating expense to move your truck one mile — fixed costs like your truck payment, insurance, and permits, plus variable costs like fuel and maintenance. It's the most important number in your trucking business: every load you take below your CPM costs you money.
Add up all monthly fixed costs (truck payment, insurance, permits, ELD), then add monthly variable costs (fuel, maintenance). Divide the total by your monthly miles. Example: $12,000 total costs ÷ 8,000 miles = $1.50/mile. That's your break-even point.
The average owner-operator cost per mile ranges from $1.50 to $2.50 depending on equipment, region, and operation. Newer trucks with high payments typically run $2.00–$2.50/mile. Paid-off equipment with lean operations can reach $1.50–$1.80/mile. Fuel alone typically accounts for 35–45% of total operating costs.
Fixed monthly: truck payment, liability/cargo/physical damage insurance, IFTA/IRP registration, UCR fee, HVUT (Form 2290), ELD subscription, and parking/tolls. Variable per-mile: fuel, tire wear, routine maintenance, and DEF. Also factor in deadhead miles — empty miles cost fuel and wear without revenue.
Your minimum profitable rate is CPM plus target profit margin. If your CPM is $1.80 and you want $0.50/mile profit, you need at least $2.30/mile on loaded miles. Most successful owner-operators target $2.50–$3.50/mile all-in depending on freight type, lane, and market conditions.