Freight rate calculator for trucking
A quote and a rate per loaded mile that cover every mile you drive, including the empty ones, plus tolls and extras and the margin you want.
Your numbers
See your resultResult
Quote for the load $1,450.59 Rate per loaded mile $2.90 Cost of the load $1,233.00600 miles × $1.93 + $75 Profit $217.59 Stop working this out by handFleetZap Dispatch plans deliveries and pickups, optimizes routes and sends customers an ETA, so you know the real miles before you quote the next one.
See FleetZap Dispatch · Try the demoThe formula
Quote = ((Loaded + Deadhead miles) × Cost per mile + Extras) ÷ (1 − Margin)
With the example: (500 + 100) × $1.93 + $75 = $1,233 in cost, and with a 15% margin the quote is $1,450.59, or $2.90 per loaded mile. Your cost per mile already includes fuel, so add a fuel surcharge on top only if your rates use a lower base fuel price. Market rates change by lane and season; this is the floor you shouldn’t go under.
Using the numberWhat to do with it
- Deadhead is the cost most quotes forget. A cheap load that leaves you 200 miles from the next one can lose money.
- Keep a per-mile cost for each truck: an older truck with higher repair costs needs a higher floor.
- Track quoted miles against the miles really driven; a gap means routes or estimates need fixing.
Guides behind this calculator
Truck routing software Dump truck and concrete dispatch Fleet fuel managementMore free calculators
Downtime cost calculator MTBF calculator OEE calculator Equipment cost per hour calculator Equipment depreciation calculator Equipment rental rate calculator Next PM due calculator EOQ calculator Safety stock calculator Reorder point calculator Truck cost per mile calculator Equipment total cost of ownership calculator MACRS depreciation calculator Section 179 calculator for equipment Equipment financing calculator Equipment utilization calculator Mechanic labor rate calculator Hydraulic cylinder calculator Generator fuel consumption calculator Weibull reliability calculator Inventory turnover calculator Parts markup calculator Truck loan calculator Equipment lease vs buy calculator Fuel surcharge calculator IFTA fuel tax calculator Axle weight and bridge formula calculator Fleet fuel savings calculator Engine hours to miles calculator Bolt torque calculator MPG calculator (fuel economy) Vehicle depreciation calculator Mileage reimbursement calculator Cubic yards to tons calculator Generator size calculator Uptime calculator Vehicle maintenance cost calculator Fuel tank capacity calculator Air compressor CFM calculator Trailer tongue weight calculator Trip fuel cost calculator Towing cost calculator Break-even calculator Owner-operator salary calculator Labor burden calculator Excavation cost calculator Sling angle calculator GVWR and payload calculator Overhead rate calculator NMFC freight class calculator Towing capacity calculator Lawn mowing price calculator Landscaping cost calculator Snow removal pricing calculator TRIR and DART rate calculatorFleetZap Dispatch
Plan deliveries, pickups and yard moves, route each driver the quickest way with one-click optimization, and keep customers in the loop with a live tracking link.
- Dispatch board
- Route optimization
- Driver app
- Live customer tracking
Good to know
How do you calculate a freight rate?Add loaded and empty miles, multiply by your cost per mile, add tolls and other costs, then divide by (1 − your margin). Divide the quote by loaded miles for the rate per mile.
Why include deadhead miles?Empty miles cost the same fuel, wear and time as loaded ones. A quote that ignores them can lose money even at a good rate per loaded mile.
Is this the market rate?No. It's your floor: the least that covers your costs and margin. Market rates change by lane, season and load type.
See FleetZap on your own fleet
Book a 20-minute walkthrough, or poke around the live demo company right now.
- Set up with you, on your machines
- Works fully by hand, GPS optional
- Live demo, no sign-up