Trucking Load Profit Calculator
Calculate estimated trucking load profit using gross rate, loaded miles, deadhead miles, operating cost per mile and percentage fees. Built for owner-operators, carriers and dispatchers.
Trucking Load Profit Calculator
How to calculate trucking load profit
A load profit calculation estimates what remains from the gross freight rate after the cost of running the required miles and percentage-based fees are considered.
This gives owner-operators and carriers a more useful picture than looking only at the advertised rate or loaded rate per mile.
Formula
Gross rate - (total miles × operating CPM) - percentage-based revenue fees
Trucking load profit example
Assume a load pays $2,400, requires 800 loaded miles and 100 deadhead miles, your operating cost is $1.60 per mile and your revenue fees equal 5%.
Total miles are 900. Estimated operating cost is 900 × $1.60 = $1,440.
Five percent of $2,400 is $120. Estimated load profit is therefore $2,400 - $1,440 - $120 = $840.
Why loaded RPM can be misleading
Loaded RPM uses only the miles under freight. It does not show the cost of reaching the pickup or repositioning after delivery.
That is why Torz Freight also calculates true RPM using loaded and empty miles together.
Include deadhead before accepting a load
Deadhead can materially reduce the economics of a load. Two loads with the same gross rate may produce very different results if one requires significantly more empty mileage.
Always compare the full trip miles rather than the paid miles alone.
Profit estimate vs cash in your pocket
A calculator result is an operating estimate. Taxes, owner compensation, unexpected repairs and other business expenses may still affect the amount ultimately available to the owner.
Use consistent cost assumptions so different load opportunities can be compared on the same basis.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a trucking load is profitable?
Compare the load revenue with the estimated operating cost of all required miles plus relevant percentage fees and direct expenses.
Should I include deadhead in load profit?
Yes. Deadhead miles still create operating cost and should normally be included in a true load profitability estimate.
Is the highest paying load always the most profitable?
No. Miles, deadhead, fuel, operating cost, fees and time can make a lower-grossing load more profitable than a higher-grossing one.
Related trucking tools
Trucking Cost Per Mile Calculator · Deadhead Cost Calculator · True Rate Per Mile Calculator · Full Load Analysis