How it works
A posted rate alone does not describe a load. Comparing revenue, total movement and costs side by side reveals whether a larger payment also requires more distance.
The formula
Keep currency, units and time periods consistent. Percentage inputs use percentage points (enter 5 for 5%). Results are rounded only for display; tiny nonzero values may use scientific notation. Undefined ratios are shown as unavailable.
A: $1,800, 650 total miles, $350 cost → $1,450 profit and $2.23/mi. B: $2,100, 850 miles, $420 cost → $1,680 profit and $1.98/mi. C: $1,500, 650 miles, $320 cost → $1,180 profit and $1.82/mi. B has the highest profit; A has the highest profit per mile.
Calculation method
Enter two to five loads. The selected metric determines ordering, with ties shown as ties. A total-cost entry overrides the itemized cost estimate for that row. Shared fee rates and diesel price provide a consistent convention.
Interpretation
Profit ranking requires a cost budget for every load; blank costs are not treated as zero. Equipment fit, destination demand, broker quality and available driving time remain separate checks.
Limitations
Use your own carrier costs, fee agreements and approved revenue. These are planning estimates, not booking recommendations or guarantees. Inputs stay in your browser; no trip or settlement figures are saved.
Using this in a dispatch decision
Choose the ranking metric before selecting a load. Estimated profit favors the largest remaining dollar amount, while profit per mile measures mileage efficiency. Neither ranking includes an opportunity cost for time unless you add that cost yourself.
Method and reference sources
Method and content checked 2026-09-20. These sources provide background, not endorsement or professional certification. The formula and limitations above define this calculator.
- ATRI — Trucking researchOperating-cost research context. No industry-average cost or contractual compensation rate is automatically used.
Frequently asked questions
Why is profit missing for some compared loads?
A revenue-only load can still have an RPM result. Profit requires a usable cost budget. Complete those budgets before ranking loads by profit.
What is a worked example for Load Comparison?
A: $1,800, 650 total miles, $350 cost → $1,450 profit and $2.23/mi. B: $2,100, 850 miles, $420 cost → $1,680 profit and $1.98/mi. C: $1,500, 650 miles, $320 cost → $1,180 profit and $1.82/mi. B has the highest profit; A has the highest profit per mile.