Free tool

Cost Per Mile Calculator

Free · no sign-up · nothing uploaded · know your break-even

Your cost per mile

Fixed costs — per month

Running costs

Your break-even

Fixed $0.40 + fuel $0.60 + maint/tires $0.22

$1.22 / mi

Will this load pay?

This load pays

1,000 total miles · all-in $2.50/mi · cost $1,220.00

+$1,280.00

+$1.28/mi vs break-even

This is a quick estimate. Nucra tracks your real cost per lane from your loads and fuel, and flags offers below your break-even before you book.

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How cost per mile works

  1. 01

    Add up fixed costs

    Truck payment, insurance, permits, ELD — the money you owe every month whether the wheels turn or not. Divide by the miles you run to get fixed cost per mile.

  2. 02

    Add your running costs

    Fuel (diesel ÷ your MPG), maintenance and tires per mile. These scale with every mile.

  3. 03

    That’s your break-even

    Fixed + running = the rate per mile you must beat to make a dollar. Below it, you’re paying to haul.

  4. 04

    Count deadhead

    An empty mile still costs you. A load only pays if the rate covers loaded + deadhead miles — that’s why the all-in rate per mile matters, not the rate alone.

Questions

What’s a good cost per mile?
Most owner-operators land between $1.20 and $1.90 all-in, depending on the truck payment, fuel price and miles run. The number that matters is yours — beat it and you profit.
Should I include my own pay?
This tool shows operating break-even. If you want to pay yourself a wage, add it as an “other fixed” cost — then the break-even is what you must earn to cover the truck and your paycheck.
Why does deadhead hurt so much?
Deadhead miles burn fuel and wear the truck but earn nothing. A $2.50/mi loaded rate with 25% deadhead is really $2.00/mi all-in — check it before you book.
Is anything saved or uploaded?
No. Everything is calculated in your browser. Nothing you type is stored or sent anywhere.

Know your number on every load

Nucra tracks your real cost per lane from your loads, fuel and settlements — and flags offers below your break-even before you book.

Start free — 14 days