Are you driving for profit, or just driving for fuel?
Most owner-operators look at a rate confirmation, see $2.50 per mile, and think, “Great load.” But if you don’t know your exact Cost Per Mile (CPM), that load might actually be costing you money.
At Enliven Logistics, we see drivers go out of business every day—not because they can’t drive, but because they can’t do the math.
Here is the simple formula to find your “Break-Even Point” so you never haul cheap freight again.
1. Know Your Fixed Cost Per Mile (The “Parked” Cost)
These are the bills you have to pay even if your truck sits in the driveway for a month.
- Truck Payment
- Trailer Payment
- Insurance (Bobtail/Liability)
- Permits & Licenses
- Parking
- ELD Subscriptions
The Math: Add all these up for the month. Let’s say it’s $4,000.
If you drive 10,000 miles a month, your Fixed Cost is $0.40 per mile ($4,000 ÷ 10,000).
2. Know Your Variable Costs (The “Rolling” Cost)
These are costs that only happen when the wheels are turning.
- Fuel (The big one)
- Tires & Maintenance
- Tolls
- Food & Wages
The Math: If fuel is $3.85/gallon and you get 7 MPG, your fuel cost is $0.55 per mile. Add $0.15 for maintenance and $0.05 for tires.
Total Variable Cost: $0.75 per mile.
You can check the latest average diesel prices on the EIA Website.
3. The Magic Number
Add them together:
$0.40 (Fixed) + $0.75 (Variable) = $1.15 Per Mile.
This means every time you move your truck for less than $1.15, you are paying to work. And this doesn’t even include your profit!
Stop Doing the Math on Napkins
You don’t need a calculator and a notebook every time a broker calls. We built a free tool that does this for you instantly.
Input your miles, fuel price, and expenses, and we will tell you exactly what your RPM (Revenue Per Mile) needs to be to make a profit.
Need Higher Paying Loads?
Knowing your numbers is step one. Finding a broker who pays them is step two.
At Enliven Logistics, we don’t just book loads; we negotiate based on your profit margins. If a load doesn’t make cents, it doesn’t make sense.
Ready to stop breaking even?
Join our carrier network today and let us handle the negotiations.
