Deadhead Mile Calculator
Calculate the true cost of running empty. See how much deadhead miles drain from your fleet's bottom line.
What you enter
- Total Miles / Month
- Loaded Miles / Month
- Fuel Price ($/gal)
- Avg MPG
- Driver Pay ($/mile)
- Number of Trucks
DispatchTool's AI Load Radar finds backhaul opportunities automatically, reducing your deadhead by up to 30%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is deadhead in trucking?
Deadhead miles are miles driven with an empty trailer, generating no revenue. The national average deadhead percentage is 15–25%. Reducing deadhead by even 5% can save thousands annually per truck.
How do you calculate deadhead cost?
Deadhead cost = empty miles × cost per mile (fuel + wear). At $0.60/mile fuel cost, 500 deadhead miles costs $300 in fuel alone, plus tire wear, maintenance, and driver pay.
What is a good deadhead percentage?
Top-performing carriers maintain under 12% deadhead. The industry average is 15–20%. Anything over 25% indicates significant inefficiency in load planning and backhaul strategy.
How can dispatchers reduce deadhead miles?
Use load boards for backhauls, build lane-specific broker relationships, plan circular routes, leverage dispatch software with AI load matching, and negotiate dedicated lanes with consistent freight.