Line Haul Cost Calculator — Direct Transport Cost Analysis
Calculate your line haul cost per mile, per load and per CWT. The foundation of carrier pricing, broker margin analysis and shipper freight budgets.
📈 Line Haul Cost Calculator
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter route miles — pickup to delivery distance. Use PC Miler or Google Maps for accuracy.
- Enter driver cost per mile — company driver CPM (typically $0.45–$0.65) or owner-operator rate.
- Enter fuel cost per mile — use the Fuel Cost Calculator to derive your exact CPM based on MPG and current diesel price.
- Enter fixed cost per mile — insurance, depreciation, permits, maintenance — typically $0.25–$0.45/mile for a semi.
Worked Example
A carrier prices a 550-mile lane with a company driver at $0.55/mi, fuel at $0.60/mi, and fixed costs at $0.38/mi.
- Total CPM: $0.55 + $0.60 + $0.38 = $1.53/mile
- Load Cost: $1.53 × 550 miles = $841.50
- At 30,000 lbs: $841.50 ÷ 300 cwt = $2.81/cwt
To price this lane at a 15% margin, the carrier would quote: $841.50 ÷ 0.85 = $990 all-in. Adding FSC on top gives the full spot rate to present to the broker or shipper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Line haul refers to the primary transportation leg — the direct movement of freight from origin to destination. It excludes accessorial charges (liftgate, residential, detention), fuel surcharge (often quoted separately), and any local pickup/delivery cartage.
In 2025–2026, dry van line haul costs typically run $1.30–$1.80/mile all-in for a well-run carrier operation. Reefer adds $0.15–$0.25/mile. Flatbed varies widely based on load type and region.
Total freight cost = line haul + fuel surcharge + accessorials + profit margin. Line haul is the base transportation cost before surcharges and add-ons. Most carrier tariffs and broker agreements separate line haul from FSC for transparency.
Fixed CPM components include: truck/trailer payment or depreciation ($0.15–$0.25), insurance ($0.08–$0.15), permits and licenses ($0.02–$0.04), and maintenance reserve ($0.10–$0.15). Total fixed CPM typically runs $0.30–$0.50 for a standard semi.