How often should I recalculate cost-per-mile?

At least quarterly, and any time fuel prices or a major cost (insurance renewal, a big repair, a new truck payment) changes materially.

Why is my cost-per-mile higher than the ATRI average?

Averages hide huge variation. Low miles spread fixed costs thin, a truck payment or high insurance raises the floor, and deadhead miles you don't get paid for still cost money. That's exactly why you track your own number.

Know Your True Cost-Per-Mile

The single number every owner-operator must know — how to build it from fixed and variable costs, with real industry benchmarks.

Key Facts

Cost-per-mile splits into fixed costs (paid whether you roll or not) and variable costs (per-mile).
ATRI's 2025 update put the industry's average total cost at $2.260 per mile for 2024.
Marginal (non-fuel) costs rose to $1.779 per mile — the highest ATRI has recorded.
Driver wages averaged just under $0.80/mile and benefits $0.197/mile in ATRI's 2024 data.

Fixed vs. variable

Fixed (monthly): truck payment, insurance, permits, ELD subscription, parking
Variable (per mile): fuel, tires, maintenance, tolls, def
Your pay: budget it as a cost, not 'whatever's left'

Build the number

Total your fixed costs for a month and divide by the miles you expect to run to get a fixed cost-per-mile. Add your variable cost-per-mile. The sum is your break-even — the rate below which you lose money. Recalculate as fuel and maintenance move; a number from last year lies to you today.

Benchmarks from the industry

ATRI's 2025 'Operational Costs of Trucking' analysis found the average total cost of operating a truck was $2.260 per mile in 2024, and marginal (non-fuel) costs climbed 3.6% to $1.779 per mile — the highest non-fuel figure ATRI has ever recorded. Driver wages averaged just shy of $0.80 per mile and benefits $0.197 per mile. Your numbers will differ, but these show where the money goes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I recalculate cost-per-mile?: At least quarterly, and any time fuel prices or a major cost (insurance renewal, a big repair, a new truck payment) changes materially.
Why is my cost-per-mile higher than the ATRI average?: Averages hide huge variation. Low miles spread fixed costs thin, a truck payment or high insurance raises the floor, and deadhead miles you don't get paid for still cost money. That's exactly why you track your own number.