At what diesel price does the truck stop making money? Enter your all-in rate, MPG, fixed costs and diesel price below.
What you actually collect per loaded mile, all-in.
Loaded average. 6-7 is typical for a dry van.
Everything except diesel: truck payment, insurance, maintenance, tires, tolls and your pay.
National average is about $5.35 now.
Use this to test how much a Q3 fuel drop actually hands back.
Adds $0.12/mi to non-fuel costs.
Breakeven diesel price
You break even at $6.50 a gallon.
Margin today
+$0.18/mi
Positive at the current diesel price.
Fuel headroom
Diesel can rise $1.15 before you are underwater.
Q3 diesel scenario
If diesel falls to $4.50, you pick up $0.13/mi.
Cheaper diesel helps, but your breakeven barely moves: most of what it costs to run the truck is not fuel. That is why a fuel dip does not pull rates down with it.
The red zone starts where diesel pushes margin below zero.
Today
$5.35
Scenario
$4.50
Breakeven
$6.50
Simplified estimate, per loaded mile. Assumes your all-in rate holds as diesel moves (no fuel-surcharge offset). For your own planning only, not financial advice.
Rig Load is an independent platform for exploring expectations around freight-related outcomes. Content is for informational purposes and does not constitute professional advice.
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