Rate Per Mile Calculator
Instantly calculate loaded RPM and all-in RPM (with deadhead) for any trucking load, then compare against 2026 U.S. spot-rate benchmarks by equipment type.
- Loaded vs. all-in RPM with deadhead adjustment
- 2026 spot & contract benchmarks: dry van, reefer, flatbed
- Free · no signup · all 50 U.S. states
Your trucking rate per mile equals total load revenue (line-haul + fuel surcharge) divided by miles. Loaded RPM uses loaded miles only; all-in RPM adds deadhead. For most U.S. owner-operators in 2026 the profitable all-in RPM floor is $2.20/mi for dry van, $2.45/mi for reefer, and $2.60/mi for flatbed.
Run your load
Enter the load's revenue and mileage. FSC is optional — add it separately if the broker split it out on the rate confirmation.
Break-even $1.82 /mi · Profitable floor $2.20 /mi · Spot avg $2.05 – $2.42 /mi
National spot RPM averages by equipment
Reviewed quarterly against DAT, Truckstop, DOE EIA and Bonafide dispatch data.
- Dry van spot RPM (US avg, Q2 2026)
- $2.05 – $2.42
- Reefer spot RPM (US avg, Q2 2026)
- $2.35 – $2.78
- Flatbed spot RPM (US avg, Q2 2026)
- $2.55 – $3.05
- National avg deadhead (2026)
- 12% – 18%
Source: DAT + Truckstop, Q2 2026
Source: DAT + Truckstop, Q2 2026
Source: DAT + Truckstop, Q2 2026
Source: ATRI, Q2 2026
| Equipment | Spot RPM avg | Contract RPM avg | Break-even RPM | Profitable floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Van | $2.05 – $2.42 /mi | $2.28 – $2.55 /mi | $1.82 /mi | $2.20 /mi |
| Reefer | $2.35 – $2.78 /mi | $2.55 – $2.92 /mi | $1.98 /mi | $2.45 /mi |
| Flatbed | $2.55 – $3.05 /mi | $2.72 – $3.18 /mi | $2.05 /mi | $2.60 /mi |
| Step Deck | $2.72 – $3.30 /mi | $2.90 – $3.45 /mi | $2.15 /mi | $2.80 /mi |
| Power Only | $1.85 – $2.20 /mi | $2.10 – $2.35 /mi | $1.55 /mi | $1.95 /mi |
| Hotshot | $1.85 – $2.35 /mi | $2.05 – $2.55 /mi | $1.55 /mi | $2.00 /mi |
What is rate per mile?
Rate per mile (RPM) is the single most-used metric in U.S. trucking for pricing loads. Carriers, brokers and dispatchers all quote loads in dollars per mile. But there are two different RPM numbers — and mixing them up is the fastest way to accept unprofitable freight.
- Definition
- Rate Per Mile (RPM) — Total load revenue (line-haul plus fuel surcharge) divided by miles driven. Loaded RPM uses loaded miles only. All-in RPM uses loaded plus deadhead miles and is the number that actually matches your cost per mile.
The rate per mile formula
Loaded RPM = (Line-haul + FSC) ÷ Loaded miles All-in RPM = (Line-haul + FSC) ÷ (Loaded miles + Deadhead miles) Deadhead % = Deadhead miles ÷ (Loaded + Deadhead miles) × 100
Always add the fuel surcharge before dividing — otherwise you're understating true revenue per mile by 15–25% depending on the FSC schedule.
Worked example
- Line-haul$2,850
- Fuel surcharge (FSC)$350
- Total revenue$3,200
- Loaded miles1,250 mi
- Deadhead miles250 mi
Verdict vs 2026 dry van benchmarks: $2.13 all-in is above the $1.82 break-even but below the $2.20 profitable floor. A dispatcher would push the broker for +$100–$150 or wait for a shorter deadhead.
How to calculate rate per mile step-by-step
- Step 1Add the fuel surcharge to line-haul revenue
Total revenue = line-haul + FSC. Ignore accessorials that aren't per-mile (detention, layover, TONU).
- Step 2Count loaded miles from origin to consignee
Use the routing miles the broker paid — PC*Miler or the rate confirmation is what counts, not Google Maps.
- Step 3Add deadhead miles to the destination
Deadhead is the empty miles you drove to pick up, plus the empty miles to your next load.
- Step 4Divide revenue by loaded miles for loaded RPM
This is the number brokers and load boards quote.
- Step 5Divide revenue by loaded + deadhead for all-in RPM
This is the number that maps to your cost per mile — use it to accept or reject.
- Step 6Compare all-in RPM to your break-even
Break-even for U.S. dry van owner-ops in 2026 is $1.82/mi. Accept loads at least 20% above that.
Loaded RPM vs all-in RPM
| Loaded RPM | All-in RPM | |
|---|---|---|
| Denominator | Loaded miles only | Loaded + deadhead miles |
| Who quotes it | Brokers, load boards | Dispatchers, owner-ops |
| Compare to CPM? | No — inflates margin | Yes — apples-to-apples |
| Use case | Negotiating with broker | Accept / reject decision |
Frequently asked questions
What is a good rate per mile for trucking in 2026?
For most U.S. owner-operators in 2026 a good rate per mile is above $2.20 all-in for dry van, above $2.45 for reefer, and above $2.60 for flatbed. Anything below your break-even RPM (typically $1.82–$2.05/mi depending on equipment) means the load is losing you money once fuel, dispatch, insurance and maintenance are counted.
What's the difference between loaded RPM and all-in RPM?
Loaded RPM is revenue divided by loaded miles only. All-in RPM is revenue divided by loaded plus deadhead miles. All-in RPM is the number that actually matches your cost per mile, so it's the one to use when deciding whether to accept a load.
How do you calculate rate per mile?
Rate per mile equals total load revenue divided by miles. Loaded RPM = revenue ÷ loaded miles. All-in RPM = revenue ÷ (loaded + deadhead miles). Example: $3,200 over 1,250 loaded and 250 deadhead miles = $2.56 loaded RPM and $2.13 all-in RPM.
Does the rate per mile include fuel?
Yes, unless the load is bid with a separate fuel surcharge (FSC). Line-haul RPM plus FSC is the true revenue per mile a broker is paying. Always add the FSC when comparing a load offer to your break-even.
What RPM do dispatchers target for owner-operators?
Bonafide dispatchers target $2.20–$2.55 all-in RPM for dry van and $2.45–$2.90 for reefer in 2026, using DAT and Truckstop spot benchmarks as the floor. Below that we push the broker or pass on the load.
Why is my RPM lower than the load board says?
Because load boards quote loaded rates and you're paying for every mile the truck rolls. A load posted at $2.60/mi loaded with 20% deadhead is really $2.17/mi all-in — that's the number your calculator should show.
How often do trucking rates per mile change?
Spot RPM moves weekly with fuel prices and freight demand; contract RPM resets quarterly or annually. DAT publishes weekly national and lane-level averages, and Bonafide re-benchmarks its dispatch targets each quarter.
Is a higher rate per mile always better?
Not by itself. A $3.00/mi 400-mile run may net less than a $2.20/mi 1,400-mile run once deadhead, driver hours-of-service, and utilization are counted. Use RPM as one input alongside total revenue per week and hours behind the wheel.