Cost Per Mile:
Total Fuel Cost:
Gallons Needed:
Suggested Fuel Stops:
Gross Revenue:
Fuel Cost:
Net Profit:
Profit Per Mile:
Fuel Cost Per Mile Formula: We divide the fuel price per gallon by your truck's miles per gallon (MPG) rating. For example, at $3.89/gallon with 6.5 MPG, the cost per mile is $3.89 / 6.5 = $0.60 per mile. This gives you the true fuel cost for every mile driven.
Total Fuel Cost: Total miles divided by MPG gives gallons needed. Gallons multiplied by fuel price gives total fuel cost. Fuel stop estimates assume a 150-gallon tank capacity, which is standard for most over-the-road trucks.
Load Profitability: We calculate gross revenue (rate per mile x total miles), subtract the fuel cost calculated above, and show your net profit and profit per mile. This helps owner-operators quickly evaluate whether a load is worth accepting based on current fuel prices.
Data Sources: Average MPG ranges (5-8 MPG) and operating cost benchmarks ($1.50-$2.00/mile) are based on ATRI (American Transportation Research Institute) 2025-2026 operational cost reports and EIA diesel fuel price data.
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Compare Fuel Cards →The average fuel cost per mile ranges from $0.40 to $0.70 depending on fuel prices and truck efficiency. Most trucks average 5-8 MPG.
Key expenses include insurance, maintenance, tires, permits, tolls, food, and lodging. Total operating costs typically range from $1.50 to $2.00 per mile.
A healthy profit per mile after all expenses is typically $0.30 to $0.50. Owner-operators should aim for at least $0.25 per mile net profit.
Fuel cards offer per-gallon discounts at truck stops, typically $0.05 to $0.50 off. They also provide detailed IFTA reporting and prevent unauthorized purchases.
The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) requires interstate carriers to report fuel purchases and miles driven in each state. Fuel tax rates vary by state.