Load Profit Calculator
Estimate net profit for a trucking load after deadhead, fuel, non-fuel operating cost, tolls, lumper or accessorial expenses, dispatch, and factoring fees.
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Load profit calculator
Compare a load's gross pay with fuel, operating cost, tolls, accessorial expenses, and percentage fees. Results update automatically.
Load, route, and cost assumptions
Estimated load results
Why total-mile rate matters
The rate printed on a load confirmation is usually based on loaded miles, but the truck also spends fuel, time, maintenance, and equipment capacity on deadhead miles.
Effective revenue per total mile spreads gross pay across loaded and deadhead miles. Comparing that number with your total operating cost per mile gives a more realistic view of whether a load supports the business.
This estimate is a planning tool. It does not include every possible charge, delay, tax, payroll item, or future repair unless you include it in the operating-cost or accessorial inputs.
Load profit formulas and worked example
Total miles: loaded miles + deadhead miles.
Fuel cost: total miles ÷ MPG × diesel price.
Non-fuel operating cost: total miles × non-fuel cost per mile.
Percentage fees: gross load pay × (dispatch percentage + factoring percentage).
Net load profit: gross pay − fuel, non-fuel cost, tolls, accessorial expenses, dispatch fees, and factoring fees.
Example: a $1,500 load with 500 loaded miles, 100 deadhead miles, 6.5 MPG, $3.75 diesel, $0.85 non-fuel cost per mile, $130 in tolls and accessorials, and 7% combined fees has about $1,091.15 in expenses. Estimated net profit is $408.85, or about $0.68 per total mile.
Load profit FAQ
What should non-fuel operating cost per mile include?
Include the per-mile share of maintenance, tires, insurance, equipment payments, permits, software, and other costs not entered separately. Use your own cost-per-mile records when available.
Should deadhead miles be included in load profit?
Yes. Deadhead miles consume operating resources even though they do not directly generate load pay.
Are dispatch and factoring fees based on gross pay?
This calculator applies both percentages to gross load pay. Check your agreements because fee bases and excluded accessorials can vary.
Does positive load profit mean the load is worth taking?
Not automatically. Consider time, appointment risk, destination market, expected reload, weather, detention terms, and whether your operating-cost input includes owner compensation and replacement reserves.
Why can a high loaded-mile rate still produce weak profit?
Deadhead, poor MPG, high fuel price, fees, tolls, and a weak destination market can reduce the effective total-mile rate and net result.
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