Revenue per mile — load pay over miles — is the headline rate in trucking. It lets you compare loads of different lengths and lanes on one apples-to-apples number.
The example
$2,400 load, 1,200 miles.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item | Value |
| 2 | 2400 / 1200 | — |
| 3 | Rate | → $2.00/mi |
The formula
The formula:
How it works
How it works:
- Divide load revenue by miles for the rate per mile.
- Use loaded miles for the gross rate, or total miles (incl. deadhead) for the true rate.
- Compare to your cost per mile — the gap is profit per mile.
- Average a lane with AVERAGEIF to set target rates.
All-miles rate is the honest one. A load paying $2.00 per loaded mile looks fine until you drove 200 empty miles to pick it up — spread over total miles the real rate is lower. Always compute revenue per total mile (loaded + deadhead) before comparing loads, or a high-paying load with a long dead leg can quietly lose to a closer, cheaper one.
Try it: interactive demo
Load revenue and miles.
Variations
All-in (total miles)
Include deadhead:
Profit per mile
Rate − cost:
Lane average
Target rate:
Pitfalls & errors
Loaded vs total miles. Decide the denominator — total miles is the true rate.
All revenue. Include accessorials if comparing total pay.
Zero miles. No miles gives #DIV/0!.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate revenue per mile in Excel?
Should I use loaded or total miles?
How do I find profit per mile?
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