Every empty mile costs you money. See exactly how deadhead miles affect your profit, effective rate, and know when it's worth taking a load vs. running empty.
How your net revenue changes at different deadhead distances for this same load.
| Deadhead | DH % | Net Rev |
|---|---|---|
| 0 mi | 0.0% | +$1,700 |
| 50 mi | 5.6% | +$1,663 |
| 100 mi | 10.5% | +$1,625 |
| 150 mi◄ | 15.0% | +$1,588 |
| 200 mi | 19.0% | +$1,550 |
| 300 mi | 26.1% | +$1,475 |
| 500 mi | 37.0% | +$1,325 |
Flintrock OS tracks your loaded and deadhead miles automatically, shows your real deadhead percentage, and helps you pick loads that keep your effective rate high.
Get Early AccessThe silent profit killer every owner-operator needs to understand.
Deadhead miles (also called empty miles or dead miles) are any miles you drive without a paying load on your truck. This includes driving to a shipper for pickup, repositioning to a different market, or returning home empty. The national average deadhead percentage for owner-operators is 12–15%, but many run 20%+ without realizing it.
Your deadhead percentage directly affects your effective rate per mile. If you're getting $2.75/mile on a load but deadheading 20% of total miles, your real effective rate drops to around $2.20/mile gross. The difference between 10% and 25% deadhead on 10,000 miles/month at $0.75/mile operating cost is over $1,100/month in lost revenue.
The decision depends on your operating cost per mile and the available rate. If deadheading 200 miles to pick up a $2.75/mile load over 800 miles nets you more than waiting for a closer load, take it. Use the scenario table above to compare. General rule: if the net revenue is positive and the effective rate is above your total cost per mile, the load is worth considering.
Five strategies: (1) Plan round trips — book your backhaul before you deliver. (2) Stay flexible on pickup dates to find closer loads. (3) Build relationships with shippers in your delivery areas. (4) Use load boards strategically — post early for backhauls. (5) Consider repositioning to high-demand markets instead of deadheading home. Even reducing deadhead by 5% saves thousands per year.
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