Trip Cost Calculator

Estimate fuel cost, driver pay, tolls, accessorials, total trip cost, and cost per mile — fast.

US Units No Signup

Trip Inputs

Distance & Efficiency

Pickup to delivery (paid miles).

Unpaid repositioning miles.

Labor & Timing

Accessorials & Other Costs

Tires, maintenance, etc.

Used to suggest your rate per mile.

Trip Summary

Total Trip Cost

$0.00

Total Miles

0 mi

Fuel Cost

$0.00

Driver Pay

$0.00

Recommended Charge

$0.00

Suggested Total Rate

$0.0000/mi

$/mi (All miles)

Cost per mile (all) $0.0000/mi
Cost per loaded mile $0.0000/mi
Suggested rates are estimates. Real lanes vary by market, season, and equipment.

Need a fixed-cost breakdown?

Include insurance, lease, and permits by using our full CPM tool.

Open Cost Per Mile Calculator

How the Trip Cost Calculator works

  • 1

    Adds loaded miles + deadhead miles to get total miles.

  • 2

    Calculates fuel gallons from total miles ÷ MPG, then multiplies by fuel price.

  • 3

    Calculates driver pay based on your chosen pay type (per-mile, hourly, or flat).

  • 4

    Adds accessorials like tolls, permits, lumper fees, and parking.

  • 5

    Computes total cost and suggests a rate based on your target profit margin.

Tips for better estimates

Use realistic MPG for the load and terrain; mountains drop efficiency fast.

Always include deadhead to avoid underpricing your time and fuel.

Include detention or stop time in your labor costs if paying hourly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I include deadhead miles?
Yes. Deadhead miles still consume fuel and time. Including them gives a realistic cost per mile and prevents underbidding.
What’s the difference between cost per mile and rate per mile?
Cost per mile is what it costs you to run the trip. Rate per mile is what you charge the customer. The difference (after expenses) is profit.
How is the suggested rate per mile calculated?
It adds your target profit margin (e.g., 15%) on top of the calculated cost per mile.

Related Trucking Tools

Fuel Cost Per Mile

Calculate fuel $/mi from fuel price and MPG.

Cost Per Mile Calculator

Estimate total CPM using fixed + variable costs.

Deadhead Cost

See how deadhead miles affect total trip cost.

Break-even Rate

Find the minimum RPM to cover costs.

Profit Per Mile

Estimate profit per mile based on your rate.

Monthly Operating Costs

Estimate monthly fixed + variable truck costs.