How the truck trip profit estimate works
The calculator separates revenue from the direct costs you enter. Fuel used is estimated by multiplying trip distance by fuel consumption and dividing by 100. Fuel cost is fuel used multiplied by the price per litre. Total expenses combine fuel, tolls and permits, the maintenance allowance and other trip costs. Estimated profit is revenue minus those expenses. Profit per kilometre divides the estimate by distance, while profit margin shows the percentage of revenue left after the entered expenses.
Worked example
For a 1,000 km trip paying $1,800, a truck using 35 L/100 km would consume about 350 litres. At $1.65 per litre, estimated fuel cost is $577.50. Adding $75 for tolls and permits, $200 for maintenance and $100 for other costs produces $952.50 in entered expenses. The remaining estimate is $847.50, or about $0.85 per kilometre. This is a planning example, not a guaranteed settlement.
Costs drivers and owner-operators may need to add
- Deadhead distance before pickup and after delivery
- Driver wages, payroll costs or the value of your own driving time
- Insurance, licence plates, financing and depreciation
- Meals, parking, scales, ferries, border fees and currency conversion
- Reefer fuel, DEF, washouts, lumper charges and unexpected repairs
Use the “other trip costs” field for known costs not shown separately. For a true business-profit calculation, allocate fixed monthly expenses across expected kilometres or trips and include that amount as well.
Before accepting a load
Confirm whether the quoted revenue includes fuel surcharge, detention, layover, extra stops and border work. Estimate realistic loaded and empty kilometres, not only the distance shown on the rate confirmation. Compare the result with your own minimum rate and keep a margin for delays or route changes. Use the trip-planning guide and pre-trip checklist before departure.