Worked example
Enter 100 deadhead miles, $4.00 diesel, 6.5 MPG, $1.50 full economic cost per mile and 500 loaded miles. The tool calculates empty-mile fuel, full deadhead cost, required recovery per loaded mile and deadhead’s share of total trip miles.
| Result | Calculated value |
|---|---|
| Deadhead fuel cost | $61.54 |
| Full deadhead economic cost | $150.00 |
| Required rate increase per loaded mile | $0.30 |
| Deadhead share of trip miles | 16.7% |
These are fictional defaults for explaining the calculation, not a price or outcome claim.
How the calculation works
Fuel is shown for reference and is already inside full economic cost. Do not add it twice. The recovery rate divides full deadhead cost by the loaded miles that can absorb it.
Read the related Serman Tools guide for definitions, limits and another worked example.
Workbook
The free calculator handles one scenario in your browser. Owner Operator Profit Workbook keeps the related model in a downloadable workbook.
Frequently asked questions
Why show fuel and full economic cost separately?
Fuel explains one visible component, while full cost also includes maintenance, tires and fixed-cost allocation.
Can I add fuel cost to full cost?
No, not when the full cost-per-mile input already includes fuel; doing so would double count it.
Is this a freight-rate forecast?
No. It evaluates entered revenue and cost assumptions; it does not predict available rates or load-board demand.
Should fixed costs be allocated across all miles?
Yes. Use loaded and deadhead miles that match the same month or planning period.
Are taxes included?
No. Results are before tax unless you deliberately include a tax-related cost in an appropriate input.
Can the result guarantee a profitable load?
No. Fuel use, delays, maintenance, claims and actual miles can differ from the plan.