Below, you’ll find what you need to consider when calculating trucking rates. Therefore, the most important number when it comes to calculating truck rates is the number of miles between your starting point and the destination.īased on our observations, having the average rate per mile for trucking and accurate information about trucking freight rates is essential to properly pricing trips and negotiating rates with your customers.īe aware, however, that calculating the overall freight rate depends on various other factors. Trucking freight rates are calculated on a per mile basis. Which can make knowing the national average trucking cost per mile feel like a black box. The concept is simple, but our research indicates that trucking rates per mile can vary significantly depending on the time of year and current fuel prices. Our findings show that not only do you have to constantly monitor your fuel spend as well as supply and demand, but you also have to take into account your fixed costs.īut let’s start with the basics for truck rates per mile.Ī truck freight rate is a price a shipper or broker will pay you, the carrier, to haul a load. Like other trades jobs, there is a lot that goes into determining the best trucking rate per mile for your business.