Is This Load Worth It? Calculate Your True Profit Before You Book
According to ATRI, the average operating cost for a truck in 2024 was $2.27 per mile. Yet many owner-operators accept loads at $2.00/mile or less — before even accounting for deadhead. The result: they lose money on loads they thought were profitable. A load paying $2,500 for 800 miles looks great at $3.12/mile — until you add 200 miles of deadhead, $150 in tolls, and realize your true rate is $2.35/mile against a $2.27 cost. That is $0.08/mile profit — or $80 for 12 hours of work ($6.67/hr). TRU LOAD’s profitability calculator shows you the real numbers before you book.
Start Free — No Card RequiredLoad Score: Excellent to Avoid
High profit, short deadhead, good direction. Book it.
Solid profit. Worth taking unless you have better options.
Marginal. Covers costs but thin profit. Consider negotiating.
Below break-even for most O/Os. Only take if desperate or repositioning.
You will lose money on this load. Walk away.
Profitability Calculator Preview
How TRU LOAD Goes Beyond a Simple Calculator
Your Actual MPG, Not an Estimate
TRU LOAD calculates your truck’s real MPG from your fuel receipts and miles driven. Your actual MPG is the single biggest variable in load profitability — generic calculators use 6.0 MPG, but your truck might get 5.5 or 7.0.
Route-Specific Diesel Prices
Diesel prices vary by $0.50-$1.00+ between states. TRU LOAD estimates fuel cost based on current prices along the actual route, not a national average. This alone can change profitability by $50-$100 per load.
Your Actual Fixed Costs
TRU LOAD knows your insurance, truck payment, and maintenance costs from your expense tracking. It uses your real numbers, not industry averages, for the most accurate profit calculation.
Next Load Consideration
A load going to a dead market (high deadhead to next load) is worth less than a load going to a hot market. TRU LOAD factors in where you will be after delivery and what loads are available from that point.
Know Your True Profit Before You Book
Basic profitability calculator is free. Starter ($49/mo) adds your actual MPG, route-specific diesel prices, and personalized fixed costs. Works with the freight you already haul.
Start Free — No Card RequiredFrequently Asked Questions
What costs does the calculator include?+
TRU LOAD's profitability calculator includes: fuel cost (based on your truck's MPG and current diesel prices along the route), estimated tolls, deadhead miles cost, per-mile operating cost (insurance, maintenance, depreciation, tires — customizable), and estimated time cost based on your hourly earning target.
How accurate is the fuel cost estimate?+
TRU LOAD uses real-time diesel prices from DOE/EIA data along your planned route, combined with your truck's actual MPG (calculated from your fuel receipts and miles). This is significantly more accurate than flat per-mile estimates. Route-specific pricing matters because diesel prices vary by $0.50-$1.00+ between states.
What is a good net per mile for an owner-operator?+
After all expenses, a healthy net per mile for an owner-operator is $0.50-$0.75. This means you are netting $0.50-$0.75 for every mile driven (loaded + deadhead) after fuel, insurance, truck payment, maintenance, and all other costs. If your net per mile drops below $0.30, you are likely losing money long-term.
Does it factor in deadhead miles?+
Yes, this is one of the most important features. Many drivers calculate profit based on loaded miles only. TRU LOAD includes deadhead miles in the total cost calculation, which often turns a "good" load into a money-loser. A $3.00/loaded mile rate with 200 miles of deadhead is very different from the same rate with 20 miles of deadhead.
Can I use this with any load, wherever I found it?+
Yes. The calculator works with any load from any source — DAT, Truckstop, direct broker, or your own customers. Enter the rate, pickup location, delivery location, and your current location. TRU LOAD calculates everything else.
Related Guides
Stop Taking Loads That Lose Money
TRU LOAD shows you true profit after fuel, deadhead, tolls, and all costs — before you commit. Scored Excellent through Avoid so you never haul at a loss.
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