Cost Per Mile Calculator

For a single owner-operator running dry van, all-in CPM typically lands between $1.85 and $2.10 per mile. Small fleets (2–10 trucks) usually run $1.95–$2.25/mi due to slightly higher overhead. Reefer adds about $0.10/mi for fuel and reefer maintenance. Cross-border carriers pay an extra $0.08/mi for FAST, ACE/ACI, and broker fees. Anything above $2.40 means you have a fleet utilization or maintenance problem to fix.

CPM = total operating costs ÷ total miles driven. Total operating costs include fixed costs (truck and trailer payments, insurance, permits, office overhead) plus variable costs (fuel, driver pay, maintenance, tires, tolls). The formula is: (Annual Fixed Costs ÷ Annual Miles) + Variable Costs Per Mile = Total CPM. Most carriers underestimate CPM because they forget about insurance renewals, IFTA payments, and irregular maintenance.

Always price fuel in your reporting currency (CAD for Canadian carriers). When you buy fuel in the US, convert at the day-of exchange rate. Net out the HST/GST input tax credit you can claim back on Canadian diesel purchases — that's typically a 5–13% reduction in your effective fuel cost. The TruckerPro calculator assumes you're entering net fuel cost.

Cost per mile (CPM) is what it costs you to move a truck one mile — your expense baseline. Rate per mile (RPM) is what a customer pays you for moving freight one mile — your revenue. RPM minus CPM equals your profit per mile. Use CPM to set minimum acceptable freight rates — never accept a load below your breakeven CPM unless it eliminates a deadhead or repositions you for a better load.

Recalculate quarterly at minimum, and more often during volatile fuel periods. Insurance renewals and equipment-financing changes also warrant a new calculation. If you use connected operational data, verify that fuel, maintenance, mileage, and payroll records are complete before relying on the result.

Driver pay is variable when paid per mile (most Canadian fleets) and fixed when paid hourly or as salary. The TruckerPro calculator handles both — switch the "Driver Pay" mode to match how you actually pay. Note: even per-mile drivers have a "minimum" floor in Canada (overtime, statutory holiday pay), so very low-mile months still incur some baseline driver cost.