Average Operating Cost Per Mile for Owner Operators 2026

Knowing your cost per mile is the foundation of profitable trucking. Here's what owner operators should budget for in 2026.

Average Cost Per Mile Breakdown

What Affects Your Cost Per Mile?

Fuel Efficiency

Newer trucks: 7-8 MPG

Older trucks: 5-6 MPG

At $3.50/gallon, fuel alone is $0.44-$0.70/mile

Type of Operation

OTR: Higher miles = lower fixed costs per mile

Regional: Moderate miles, moderate costs

Local: Lower miles, higher fixed costs per mile

Equipment Type

Dry Van: Most economical

Reefer: +$0.05-0.10/mile (refrigeration unit)

Flatbed: +$0.08-0.12/mile (tarp, straps, permits)

The Profit Margin You Need

To actually make money, you need to add profit on top of costs:

How to Track Your True Cost Per Mile

Track every expense — fuel, tolls, repairs, insurance

Log all miles — loaded, deadhead, bobtail

Calculate monthly — divide total costs by total miles

Adjust quarterly — costs change, so should your rates

Use LoadBuck to Calculate Your Numbers

LoadBuck automatically tracks your expenses and calculates your profit per mile for every load.

*Know your cost per mile. Set your rates to profit.*