Load Profit Calculator
See what a load really pays after fuel, deadhead, dispatch and your truck costs. Put two loads side by side and know which one to book before you call the broker back.
Want loads that land on the right side of this calculator?
We find and negotiate loads, plan reloads to cut deadhead, and handle all broker paperwork for owner-operators.
How to tell if a load is worth taking
The rate a broker quotes is per loaded mile, but your truck burns fuel on every mile, including the empty drive to the pickup. A load that looks strong at $2.60 a mile can turn weak once 150 deadhead miles and an extra day are counted.
This calculator adds up everything a load really costs you: fuel and maintenance on all miles, your pay, the dispatch and factoring fees, tolls and lumper fees, and the fixed costs your truck carries for every day the load takes. What is left is your real profit.
Why profit per day decides between two loads
A bigger check is not always the better load. If one load pays more but ties up your truck for an extra day, the smaller, faster load can earn more for the time spent. That is why this tool picks the better load by profit per day, then shows you the rate per mile and total profit so you can decide.
Not sure what your truck costs to run? Start with the Truck Cost Per Mile Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good rate per mile for a load?
There is no single number. A good rate is one that clears your own break-even with room for profit, after deadhead. Use the cost per mile calculator to find your break-even first, then check each load against it here.
Should deadhead be counted on every load?
Yes. Deadhead to the pickup is part of the cost of that load. If you know the next reload will also need a long empty drive, add those miles here too.
What counts as fixed costs per day?
Anything you pay whether the truck moves or not: truck and trailer payments, insurance, permits, ELD and phone. Add up your monthly total and divide by 30.
How do I counter a low offer?
Change the load pay in this calculator until the result turns positive with a margin you are happy with. That number is your counter. Brokers expect it, and knowing your real costs makes the conversation easier.
Results are estimates for planning only.