Calculators and tools
Cost per mile, break-even rate, fuel surcharge and dimensional weight, each with the method and sources explained.
Four calculators, all free, all running in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere. Each one comes with a written explanation of the method and the numbers it uses, so you can check the arithmetic yourself.
| Tool | What it answers | Related guide |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per mile calculator | What a mile actually costs you, line by line, compared with the ATRI industry benchmark. | Owner-operator take-home pay |
| Break-even rate calculator | The lowest rate per loaded mile that covers your costs, and whether a specific load with deadhead is worth taking. | Working out what rate to accept |
| Fuel surcharge calculator | The surcharge per mile from a peg-and-step schedule or from your truck's real fuel economy, using the weekly EIA diesel price. | How a fuel surcharge works |
| Dimensional weight calculator | The chargeable weight of an air freight shipment, piece by piece, with the common airline divisors. | Chargeable weight explained |
How to get a reliable answer
Every calculator is only as good as the numbers you put in. Use a full year of your own figures where you have them: fuel receipts, maintenance invoices, insurance premiums and the miles on your settlement statements. Where you have to estimate, round against yourself: assume a little more cost and a few more empty miles than you hope for.
The benchmarks shown alongside the results come from published sources, cited on each page with the date they were last checked. They describe averages across many carriers, not your operation, so treat a big gap as a reason to look closer rather than as a verdict.
Reference data
The federal fee reference lists every recurring federal fee a small carrier pays, with amounts, deadlines and the rule each one comes from.
Sources
- Operational Costs of Trucking 2026 — American Transportation Research Institute.
- Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update — U.S. Energy Information Administration.
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Regulations change; confirm current requirements with the agency before acting.