Backhaul Rate Calculator — Minimum Backhaul Rate vs Deadhead

Calculate the minimum acceptable backhaul rate vs running empty. Any rate above variable cost contributes to fixed cost recovery — find your true break-even.

Quick answer: Backhaul break-even = fuel + driver time + variable costs only (fixed costs are sunk). At $1.19/mi variable cost, any load paying above $952 on an 800-mile backhaul is profitable.

🔄 Backhaul Rate Calculator

Backhaul Miles

Rate Offered ($)

Fuel Cost ($/mile)

Driver Pay ($/mile)

Other Variable ($/mile)

Tyres, oil, variable maintenance

Load/Unload Time (hrs)

Backhaul Break-Even

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Profit / Loss at Offered Rate

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Offered Rate Per Mile

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How to Use This Calculator

Enter miles and rate offered — the load being considered for the backhaul.
Enter variable costs only — fuel, driver mileage pay, and variable maintenance. Exclude insurance, truck payments, permits — these are sunk.
Evaluate the offer — any rate above variable cost beats running empty. The question is also driver time and schedule impact.

Worked Example

800-mile backhaul, $950 offered, $0.52 fuel, $0.55 driver, $0.12 variable, 2 hrs load time.

Variable CPM: $1.19/mi
Variable cost: $952 + $40 load time = $992
At $950 offered: $42 below break-even — counter to $1,100+

Countering to $1,100 gives $108 contribution above variable cost on a load that would otherwise be empty. Always counter before declining.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — if it covers variable cost. Fixed costs are paid whether you run loaded or empty. On a backhaul, only variable costs matter: fuel, mileage-based driver pay, proportional maintenance. Any rate above that contributes to fixed cost recovery.

Backhaul rates typically run 50–75% of headhaul rates on the same lane. Check load boards (DAT, Truckstop) for current backhaul rates on your specific lane.