What is cost per mile (CPM) in trucking?

Cost per mile (CPM) is your total operating expense divided by miles driven. It combines fixed costs (truck payment, insurance, HVUT) and variable costs (fuel, maintenance, tires). Your freight rate must exceed your CPM to turn a profit.

What is a good cost per mile for trucking?

Average CPM for owner-operators ranges from $1.50 to $2.50 depending on equipment age, fuel prices, and route type. Cross-border dedicated lanes from Markham often achieve $2.50+ CPM due to border complexity premiums and higher demand.

How do I calculate fuel cost per mile?

Divide your fuel price per gallon by your average MPG. For example: $4.50 per gallon ÷ 6.5 MPG = $0.6923 per mile in fuel cost. This calculator does this conversion automatically.

What fixed costs should truckers include in their CPM calculation?

Fixed monthly costs include your truck payment, trailer payment, insurance premium, Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT / Form 2290), health insurance, and office or software subscriptions. These exist regardless of miles driven and must be recovered through your per-mile rate.

Trucking Cost Per Mile Calculator — Break-Even CPM Tool

Fixed Monthly Costs

Truck Payment

Trailer Payment

Insurance

Heavy Highway Tax (HVUT)

Health Insurance

Office / Software

Variable Costs (per mile)

Fuel Cost / Gallon

Average MPG

Fuel cost / mile (calculated) —

Maintenance Set-Aside / mi

Tires / mi

Operations

Average Miles Driven / Month

Typical owner-operator: 8,000–12,000 mi/month

Live Results

Total Break-Even CPM

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per mile

Fixed Cost / Mile —

Variable Cost / Mile —

Monthly Operating Cost —

Your rate must exceed your CPM to profit.

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Results are estimates based on inputs provided. Actual operating costs vary by equipment, routes, and market conditions. Consult an accountant for financial planning.

Trucking Cost Per Mile CPM Calculator

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Trucking Cost Per Mile
CPM Calculator