Skip to main content
+1-682-978-8641
Free Tool

Deadhead Miles Calculator

Calculate empty miles, loaded miles, total trip distance, fuel cost, and deadhead percentage. See if a load is worth taking before you commit.

No signup. No account. 100% free. Covers 200+ US cities.

Route Information

Trip Settings

Typical: 5-8 MPG for diesel trucks

Rate for loaded miles only

Distances are estimates based on straight-line distance with a highway correction factor.

How to Use This Deadhead Calculator

1

Enter Locations

Search for your current location, the pickup location, and optionally the delivery location. Start typing a city name to see results.

2

Set Your MPG & Fuel Price

Enter your truck's MPG and current fuel price. Optionally enter the load rate per mile to see a revenue analysis.

3

Review Results

See deadhead miles, fuel cost breakdown, deadhead %, and whether the load's effective rate per mile is worth your time.

What Are Deadhead Miles?

Deadhead miles (also called “empty miles” or “dead miles”) are the miles you drive without a paying load on your trailer. This typically happens when you drive from your current location (or after a delivery) to pick up your next load.

Deadhead miles are the biggest hidden cost in trucking. You burn fuel, put wear on your truck, accumulate taxable IFTA miles, and face the same risks on the road — all without generating revenue.

The True Cost of Deadhead

Example

Load pays $2.50/mi for 800 loaded miles, but you have to deadhead 300 miles to the pickup.

Gross Revenue

$2,000

800 mi × $2.50

Total Miles

1,100 mi

300 DH + 800 loaded

Effective RPM

$1.82/mi

$2,000 / 1,100 mi

The $2.50/mi load actually pays $1.82/mi when you factor in deadhead. That's a 27% pay cut.

Deadhead Calculator FAQ

What are deadhead miles in trucking?▼
Deadhead miles (also called empty miles or dead miles) are miles driven without a load — typically the distance from your current location to where you pick up your next load. Deadhead miles cost fuel and wear but generate no revenue.
What is a good deadhead percentage?▼
Industry experts recommend keeping deadhead under 15% of total trip miles. Over 20% is considered high and significantly reduces your effective rate per mile. Many successful owner-operators average 8-12% deadhead.
How do I reduce deadhead miles?▼
Strategies to reduce deadhead: (1) Use load boards to find loads near your delivery point. (2) Build relationships with brokers and shippers in areas you frequent. (3) Plan round-trip routes. (4) Use a dispatch service that optimizes your route. (5) Avoid loads that require long deadheads unless the rate compensates.
Should I factor deadhead into my rate negotiation?▼
Absolutely. Your effective rate per mile should account for ALL miles driven, including deadhead. A load paying $3.00/mi with 400 empty miles to reach it is often worse than a $2.00/mi load you can pick up 20 miles away.
Are deadhead miles reported on IFTA?▼
Yes. Deadhead miles are taxable miles for IFTA purposes. All miles driven in a state — loaded or empty — must be reported on your quarterly IFTA return.
How accurate is this calculator?▼
Distances are estimated using straight-line distance with a highway correction factor (typically 1.2-1.35x). This gives a close approximation for planning purposes. For exact routing, use a GPS or mapping application.

Related Tools

Fuel Cost Calculator

Estimate fuel cost for any trip distance

Cost Per Mile Calculator

Know your true operating cost per mile

IFTA Calculator

Calculate quarterly IFTA fuel tax

Tired of Running Empty?

Our dispatch team finds you the best-paying loads with minimal deadhead. We negotiate rates and plan routes so you maximize every mile.

+1-682-978-8641