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Trucking Break-Even Calculator

Find the rate per mile you must hit to break even — never haul cheap freight again.

  • Updated July 10, 2026 · reviewed by the Bonafide Dispatch operations team
  • Free · no signup · nationwide (all 50 U.S. states)
  • 2026 U.S. freight benchmarks built in
Quick answer

Break-even RPM = monthly fixed costs ÷ monthly miles + variable CPM. Most owner-operators break even at $1.85–$2.10/mi all-in.

Updated Reviewed by the Bonafide Dispatch operations teamFree · No signup · Works nationwide (all 50 U.S. states)
Quick facts
Category
Financial
Formula
Break-Even RPM = (Fixed Costs ÷ Paid Miles) + Variable Cost Per Mile.
Inputs
3
Best for
Owner-operators & fleets
Inputs
Results
Break-even rate per mile
$1.82
Fixed cost per mile
$0.72
Target profitable RPM (+20%)
$2.19
2026 U.S. reference benchmarks
Reviewed quarterly · DOE EIA · ATA · ATRI · FMCSA · DAT/Truckstop
Typical owner-op break-even RPM
$1.85 – $2.10 /mi

Source: ATA + Bonafide, Q2 2026

Fixed cost share of total CPM
38% – 46%

Source: ATRI operational costs, 2025→2026

Target profitable RPM (break-even + 20%)
$2.22 – $2.52 /mi

Source: Bonafide dispatch data, Q2 2026

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We book higher-RPM freight for owner-operators and fleets in every U.S. state — no setup fees, no contracts.

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What this calculator does

Find the rate per mile you must hit to break even — never haul cheap freight again.

Definition
Break Even — Your break-even rate is the lowest all-in RPM you can accept on a load before losing money on it.

Why it matters

Owner-operators and fleet managers across the United States — from Texas and California freight lanes to the Midwest and Southeast — rely on the break even numbers to price loads, negotiate with brokers, and protect margin. Getting this figure right is the difference between a profitable week and a break-even one, and it's the same math our dispatchers run on every load we book.

Methodology

This calculator uses the industry-standard formula shown below. Inputs and defaults are based on Bonafide's day-to-day dispatch operations across U.S. carriers, cross-checked against FMCSA guidance and DAT/Truckstop market data. Results render as plain text (not canvas or images) so they're readable by screen readers, search engines, and AI assistants.

How to use it

  1. Step 1
    List every fixed cost

    Truck payment, insurance, permits, phone, parking, factoring.

  2. Step 2
    Use paid miles only

    Don't inflate by including unpaid bobtail.

The formula

Break-Even RPM = (Fixed Costs ÷ Paid Miles) + Variable Cost Per Mile.

Worked examples

  • Example 1
    Solo $6.5K fixed
    fixed
    6500
    miles
    9000
    varCpm
    1.1
    Result: $1.82/mi break-even

FAQ

What margin should I target?

Aim 20–30% above break-even. Below break-even, you're paying the broker to use your truck.

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