Know your true cost per mile before accepting any load. Enter your monthly costs below — your CPM updates instantly.
Your Total CPM
$0.00
per mile
Fixed CPM
$0.00
($0/mo)
Variable CPM
$0.00
($0/mo)
Total Monthly Cost
$0
Min. Rate / Load
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Include loaded miles, deadhead, and bobtail
Quick presets:
Costs that don't change regardless of miles driven
Costs that fluctuate based on how much you drive
Everything owner-operators need to know about cost per mile
CPM stands for Cost Per Mile. It's the total operating cost of your truck divided by the number of miles you drive. For example, if your monthly costs are $8,000 and you drive 10,000 miles, your CPM is $0.80. Any load paying less than your CPM is a losing proposition.
Fixed costs are the same every month regardless of how many miles you drive — truck payment, insurance, registration. Variable costs change with mileage — fuel, tires, maintenance. Knowing both is critical to pricing loads correctly and staying profitable even in slow months.
Once you know your CPM, multiply it by the load miles to get your break-even rate. Then add your desired profit margin (typically 15–25%) on top. For example: CPM of $1.80 × 800 miles = $1,440 break-even. At 20% margin, you want at least $1,728 for that load.
It varies by equipment type and operation. Most solo OTR owner-operators operate between $1.20–$1.80/mile in total costs. Reefer and flatbed operators often have higher CPMs but also command higher rates. The key is knowing your number and never accepting a load that doesn't cover it.
Yes — always include deadhead and bobtail miles in your monthly miles figure. Every mile driven costs money whether you're loaded or not. If you only factor in loaded miles, your CPM will appear artificially low and you'll underprice your loads.
Now that you know your cost per mile, let LoadEX Logistics negotiate rates above it. We find loads, handle paperwork, and keep your truck earning more — every single week.