Cost Per Mile Calculator Guide: The Number That Decides Every Load
The Short Answer
Realistic cost per mile for a one-truck owner-operator running 100K miles/year: $1.60–$2.20 all-in. Below $1.85 you're missing costs. Above $2.30 you're either running low miles or paying premium for something (new truck, high insurance).
If you can't state your cost per mile in one sentence, you're guessing on every load. Here is the exact math.
For a 26' non-CDL box truck operator, $1.40–$1.80 all-in is typical. For a solo CDL operator running a used tractor, $1.60–$2.20 all-in. Under those ranges usually means missing costs (accounting, health insurance, income tax). Over them means high fixed costs (new truck) or low utilization.
Fixed Costs (Same Every Month)
| Line | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Truck payment | $1,500 | $18,000 |
| Insurance | $1,000 | $12,000 |
| Permits (IRP, IFTA, UCR, 2290) | $200 | $2,400 |
| ELD + phone + accounting | $150 | $1,800 |
| Load board (DAT) | $50 | $600 |
| Total fixed | $2,900 | $34,800 |
Variable Costs (Per Mile)
| Line | Per mile | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel (6.5 mpg, $3.90/gal) | $0.60 | Biggest variable |
| Maintenance + tires | $0.15 | Save $0.10/mi for major repairs |
| Tolls | $0.03 | Higher in Northeast |
| Factoring fee (3%) | $0.08 | On $2.60/mi avg rate |
| Total variable | $0.86 |
Full CPM Calculation
At 100,000 miles per year: Fixed ($34,800 / 100,000) = $0.35/mi. Variable = $0.86/mi. Total CPM = $1.21/mi. At 90,000 miles: fixed rises to $0.39/mi, total $1.25. At 80,000 miles (realistic for solo without weekends): total $1.30. Add owner draw + taxes + savings and you land in the $1.60–$2.20 range.
The 'CPM plus target margin' rule
Never accept a load below CPM + $0.30/mi. That $0.30 is your profit, savings, and downside coverage. Running at $1.75/mi with a $1.60 CPM leaves nothing for a broken transmission.
The Costs Most Operators Miss
- Owner draw (yourself) — count this as a cost
- Health insurance ($400–$1,200/mo for a family)
- Retirement contribution (SEP-IRA target 10% of gross)
- Business income tax (25–30% of net)
- Truck replacement savings ($400/mo minimum)
- Downtime (unpaid days when truck is in the shop)
How to Track CPM in Real Life
- Use trucking-specific software (Rigbooks, TruckingOffice)
- Reconcile every fuel receipt weekly, not monthly
- Compute CPM quarterly, not just annually
- Compare actual vs plan and update your minimum accept rate
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the average cost per mile in trucking?+
$1.60–$2.20 for owner-operators. Larger fleets get $1.40–$1.70 with scale and self-insurance.
How do I calculate cost per mile?+
Sum all fixed and variable costs for a year, then divide by total miles driven (loaded + empty). Recompute quarterly.
Should I include my own pay in cost per mile?+
Yes — you're a cost of the business. If you don't include owner draw, your CPM is fiction.