Route Profitability Comparison
Compare two loads side-by-side. See which route earns more per mile, per day, and which one actually puts more money in your pocket after fuel, dispatch, tolls, and operating costs.
Shared Settings
0%15%
Insurance, maintenance, tires, etc. per mile
A
Route A
B
Route B
Route A: Dallas to Atlanta
$2,138
Net Profit
Per Mile
$2.59
Per Day
$1,069
Rev/Loaded Mi
$4.10
Deadhead
5.5%
Route B: Dallas to Chicago
$2,439
Net Profit
Per Mile
$2.35
Per Day
$813
Rev/Loaded Mi
$4.13
Deadhead
11.5%
Route A Wins
Dallas to Atlanta earns $256/day more than Dallas to Chicago. It is also 11% more profitable per mile. Route A also has less deadhead (5.5% vs 11.5%).
Detailed Breakdown
| Metric | Route A | Route B |
|---|---|---|
| Rate | $3,200 | $3,800 |
| Loaded Miles | 780 | 920 |
| Deadhead Miles | 45 | 120 |
| Total Miles | 825 | 1040 |
| Deadhead % | 5.5% | 11.5% |
| Fuel Cost | $482 | $608 |
| Dispatch Fee (8%) | $256 | $304 |
| Operating Cost | $289 | $364 |
| Tolls | $35 | $85 |
| Total Expenses | $1,062 | $1,361 |
| Net Profit | $2,138 | $2,439 |
| Profit/Mile | $2.59 | $2.35 |
| Profit/Day | $1,069 | $813 |
| Revenue/Loaded Mile | $4.10 | $4.13 |
Winner for each metric highlighted in emerald. Fuel cost based on total miles (loaded + deadhead). Operating cost covers insurance, maintenance, tires, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Subtract all expenses (fuel, dispatch fee, tolls, and operating costs) from the load rate, then divide by total miles including deadhead. For example, a $3,200 load with $800 in total expenses over 825 total miles yields $2.91 profit per mile. Always include deadhead miles in the total -- they cost fuel and wear but generate no revenue.
Most owner-operators target $1.50 to $2.50 net profit per mile after all expenses. Anything above $2.00/mile is considered good. However, profit per day can be more meaningful since a shorter high-paying route may earn more daily than a longer route with higher per-mile profit. This tool shows both metrics.
Deadhead miles are unpaid miles you drive to reach your next pickup. They cost fuel and wear without generating revenue. A 15% deadhead rate is typical, but anything above 20% significantly eats into profit. A route paying $0.10 less per mile but with zero deadhead may actually be more profitable than a higher-paying route with 100+ deadhead miles.
Profit per day is usually the better metric because time is your most limited resource. A 2-day route earning $1,200 net ($600/day) beats a 1.5-day route earning $800 net ($533/day) even though the shorter route has a higher rate per mile. Use this tool to see both metrics side-by-side and make the right call.