Calculator Inputs
Use trip miles or monthly miles — keep period consistent.
Insurance, truck payment, permits for the same period as miles.
Maintenance, tires, tolls, etc.
Calculation Summary
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. For decisions involving pricing or taxes, consult a professional.
Read full disclaimerHow to use the CPM calculator
Follow these steps to get an accurate cost per mile estimate:
- Pick a time period: Decide if you are calculating for a specific load (trip), a week, or a full month.
- Enter miles: Enter the total miles driven during that specific period (include deadhead miles).
- Fuel Data: Enter your average fuel price per gallon and your truck's average MPG.
- Fixed Costs: Enter your insurance, truck payment, and permit costs for the same period.
- Variable Costs: Add your variable costs like maintenance and tolls as a per-mile figure.
What is trucking cost per mile (CPM)?
Cost per mile (CPM) is the total financial cost to operate your truck for every single mile it travels on the road.
It is one of the most critical metrics for owner-operators. By knowing your true CPM, you can determine your break-even rate—the minimum revenue you must earn per mile just to cover your expenses without making a profit.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good cost per mile for an owner-operator?
There is no universal "good" number because fuel price, insurance, and truck payments vary. Use this calculator with your real data to compare your CPM to the rate per mile (RPM) you're offered by brokers or shippers.
Should fixed costs be monthly or weekly?
Either works. The key is consistency: if you enter monthly fixed costs, you must enter your total miles driven for that month.
Does CPM include deadhead miles?
Yes. CPM should reflect all miles driven. If you drive 500 loaded miles and 100 deadhead miles, your calculations should be based on 600 total miles.