Profitable owner-operators know one number cold: their true cost per mile. Enter your numbers below and we'll show your break-even — and exactly what each load actually pays you. Nothing is saved; it all runs in your browser.
The bills you pay whether the truck rolls or not.
What it costs to actually run the miles.
The owner-operators who build something lasting don't just protect their margin — they put it somewhere that works as hard as they do. See how one driver turned his into a four-truck fleet.
Read the story →Your cost per mile is the foundation of every smart load decision. Get it right and you can tell a good load from one that quietly costs you money to haul. The formula is simple:
Most owner-operators run somewhere between $1.80 and $2.40 a mile all-in. The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) pegged the industry average around $2.26 per mile, with non-fuel costs at record highs. Your number depends on your truck payment, fuel economy, insurance, and — critically — how many miles you actually run. Fewer miles spreads your fixed costs over less freight, which pushes your cost per mile up fast.
Run the numbers honestly, price your freight above the line, and revisit it every quarter as diesel and rates move. See our full breakdown of 2026 operating costs →