Freight math for trucking carriers
Rate comparison, load board review, lane economics, accessorial documentation, and broker call preparation — in plain English.
Compare loads the right way
Loaded miles vs total miles, gross vs profit per mile, all-in vs linehaul rates, and fuel surcharge mechanics.
Lane planningPlan before calling the broker
35+ city pairs with deadhead questions, reload market notes, metro considerations, and example-only trip math.
DocumentationProtect what you have in writing
Rate confirmation review, accessorial approval workflow, broker call prep, and post-delivery record keeping.
Key articles
Essential reading for load selection, rate comparison, and documentation.
- Freight rate per mile explained Freight rate per mile explained: carrier checks for paid miles, empty miles, timing, costs, and reload position.
- Loaded miles vs total miles Loaded miles vs total miles: carrier checks for paid miles, empty miles, timing, costs, and reload position.
- Rate confirmation review guide Rate confirmation review guide: written terms, records to keep, and accessorial or appointment dispute points.
- How to negotiate a truckload rate with a broker How to negotiate a truckload rate with a broker: broker identity, payment terms, paperwork, and risk checks before dispatch.
- Broker credit check basics Broker credit check basics: broker identity, payment terms, paperwork, and risk checks before dispatch.
- Load board red flags Load board red flags: load details, broker questions, total-mile math, and confirmation checks.
- Detention proof and documentation Detention proof and documentation: written terms, records to keep, and accessorial or appointment dispute points.
- How to compare two loads with different miles How to compare two loads with different miles: carrier checks for paid miles, empty miles, timing, costs, and reload position.
Lane examples
City pairs with planning notes. Not live market rates.
- Dallas → Chicago Dallas to Chicago lane economics for carriers, with planning notes, deadhead questions, accessorial checks, and example-only load math.
- Atlanta → Miami Atlanta to Miami lane economics for carriers, with planning notes, deadhead questions, accessorial checks, and example-only load math.
- Houston → Dallas Houston to Dallas lane economics for carriers, with planning notes, deadhead questions, accessorial checks, and example-only load math.
- Chicago → Atlanta Chicago to Atlanta lane economics for carriers, with planning notes, deadhead questions, accessorial checks, and example-only load math.
- Los Angeles → Phoenix Los Angeles to Phoenix lane economics for carriers, with planning notes, deadhead questions, accessorial checks, and example-only load math.
- Denver → Dallas Denver to Dallas lane economics for carriers, with planning notes, deadhead questions, accessorial checks, and example-only load math.
- Memphis → Dallas Memphis to Dallas lane economics for carriers, with planning notes, deadhead questions, accessorial checks, and example-only load math.
- Nashville → Atlanta Nashville to Atlanta lane economics for carriers, with planning notes, deadhead questions, accessorial checks, and example-only load math.
Accessorial fees
Common charges explained — when they apply, what approval looks like, and what documentation helps.
Simple load math tools
Example-only calculators. Enter your own sample numbers — nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
Load Profitability Estimator
Estimate total miles, gross per mile, and rough trip profit from example load inputs.
DeadheadDeadhead Impact Estimator
See how unpaid empty miles change loaded-mile and total-mile economics.
FuelFuel Surcharge Example
Work through a simple fuel surcharge example using your own sample assumptions.