Cargo Van Cost Per Mile Calculator
Cargo van expediting runs on a different math than the bigger trucks: the lowest cost per mile of any class here, but also the lowest rates. The way you make money in a van isn't a fat per-mile rate — it's volume, tight deadhead, and knowing your real cost per mile down to the penny. The diesel price below is this week's real U.S. average, not a stale number from last quarter.
Defaults below are starting points for a typical Cargo van (Sprinter-class) operation — plug in your real numbers.
How this is calculated
fixed per mile = monthly fixed costs ÷ miles per month
variable per mile = (diesel ÷ MPG) + maintenance + tires
total = fixed + variable
Price source: EIA Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update, published every Tuesday.
FAQ
Is cargo van expediting worth it?
It can be — a cargo van has the lowest cost per mile of any class on this site, but it also commands the lowest rates. The math works when you run enough volume and keep deadhead miles disciplined; it stops working the moment you're sitting empty between loads or chasing rates that don't clear your real cost per mile.
What loads do cargo vans haul?
Time-critical expedite freight, medical and pharma runs, final-mile parcel work, and small freight that doesn't fill a box truck or trailer. Vans win on speed and access — tight docks, residential deliveries, hot shots that need to move now — not on volume per load.
Sprinter vs Transit running costs?
The two run comparable overall costs but get there differently: diesel Sprinters typically post better MPG, while gas-engine Transits are usually cheaper and simpler to maintain and repair. Neither wins outright — plug your actual MPG, maintenance, and payment numbers into the calculator above instead of assuming one badge beats the other.
Related tools
Cargo van rate calculator · Owner-operator cost per mile · Load profit
Data updated: 2026-07-06 · Source: EIA weekly diesel