Freight Cost Per Mile Calculator
Charging freight by the mile has to cover more than fuel: it includes vehicle wear, your time, fixed costs and margin. Enter the distance, the MPG, the fuel price and a per-mile rate to reach a fair price.
Your numbers
Result
- Price per mile
- $1.83
- Fuel only
- $32.50
- Total distancemiles
- 100
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Fuel | $32.50 |
| Costs + margin (per mile) | $150.00 |
| Total freight | $182.50 |
How to price a haul
Freight has two parts: fuel (distance ÷ MPG × price) and a per-mile rate that folds in maintenance, tires, depreciation, your time and profit. For 100 miles in a truck that gets 12 MPG on $3.90 diesel, fuel is about $32.50; with a $1.50/mile rate ($150), the haul comes to roughly $182.50, or $1.83 per mile.
Do not charge fuel alone
Charging only for fuel is the most common mistake when starting out — it ignores the real wear on the vehicle, which shows up later as maintenance and depreciation. The per-mile rate exists to spread those costs and lock in a profit. Use the cost-per-mile calculator to size that rate from your own numbers.
Round trips and backhauls
If the vehicle returns empty, consider charging for the round trip — the cost of the return leg is real even with no load. When there is a backhaul (a paying load on the way back), you can discount the outbound leg. Choose the round-trip option to include the full journey.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
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