DieselMath

Cargo Van Rate Calculator

Expedite rates in a cargo van are quoted almost entirely per mile, and they run lower than anything a box truck or hotshot rig sees — which only works if your cost per mile is just as low and your deadhead stays disciplined. Check whether a specific dispatch actually pays below, or find the per-mile floor you can't afford to quote under.

Will this load make money?

The rate on the rate confirmation, before any fees.

Empty miles to get to the pickup — they cost the same to drive.

Pre-filled from the cargo van cost per mile defaults below — replace it with your real number.

0 if you don't factor your invoices.

profit = gross − (total miles × cost per mile) − factoring fee

Your break-even rate

All-in cost from the cargo van cost per mile calculator — link below.

Industry deadhead typically runs 15-20% of total miles.

break-even per loaded mile = cost per mile ÷ (1 − deadhead %)

FAQ

What's a realistic expedite rate per mile?

There's no single honest number here — expedite rates swing by lane, urgency, and how badly the broker needs the load covered right now. What doesn't change is your own floor: compare whatever rate you're offered to the break-even number below before you commit, especially on a short, urgent run where it's tempting to say yes without doing the math.

How does deadhead affect a van rate?

A van's low cost per mile still applies to every empty mile you run to reposition — deadhead eats into a thin expedite margin faster than it does on a bigger truck's fatter rate. Use the break-even calculator below to see how a 10% vs 25% deadhead share moves your real floor rate.

Related tools

Cargo van cost per mile · Load profit · Break-even rate