Truckers lose thousands of dollars each year by hauling nothing but air between delivery sites. High deadhead mileage is a sign of poor plans that eats away at your take-home pay. You must plan your routes to keep your business strong.
Deadhead mileage is the total number of miles you drive with a truck that has no cargo or load on board. These empty miles occur when you move between delivery and pickup sites and are a major drain on your profit. Since you still pay for fuel and truck care without earning any pay from a load, Truckstop says truckers should use load boards. Every empty mile is a missed chance to make money, so you must plan your trips with care to keep your trailer full. Using better plans to find return loads will help you grow your fleet and keep your trucking business in the black for a long time.
To keep your trucks on the road and your business growing, you must know how these miles work and how to avoid them. Many drivers confuse this term with other industry words, so we will start with the basics. We will first answer the question, What is deadhead mileage in trucking? The path begins as we define the term.
What is deadhead mileage in trucking?
In the trucking world, deadhead mileage refers to driving a work truck with an empty trailer. This happens when a driver drops off cargo and must travel to a new spot to pick up the next load. These empty miles are a common part of the job, but they can hurt a driver’s profit. Knowing how to manage deadhead mileage is a key skill for any strong driver. It helps ensure that every mile driven builds the success of the business.
The basics of empty miles
Deadhead miles occur when you move from one delivery point to a new pickup point without any freight. For example, you might drop off a load in Chicago and need to drive to Indianapolis to get your next shipment. Those miles in between are deadhead. Since there is no cargo, the truck is not making money during that trip. This type of travel is a standard part of route planning. Still, it stays a top concern for fleet owners and owner-operators alike because of the lost time and high costs.
Deadheading vs bobtailing
Many people mix up deadheading with bobtailing, but they are not the same thing. Bobtailing means driving just the tractor unit without any trailer hooked up. Deadheading involves a truck that still has its trailer, even though that trailer is empty. This difference matters for safety and insurance. An empty trailer changes how a truck handles on the road. This is true in high winds or slick weather. Knowing these terms helps drivers talk better with dispatchers and brokers about their status and safety needs.
The cost of driving empty
Every mile you drive costs money, whether you have a load or not. When you drive empty, you still use fuel and cause wear on the tires and engine. Research shows that deadhead miles are a big factor in how much money a trucking company makes each year. Without a paid load to cover these costs, the driver or the company must pay for the trip. Some brokers offer deadhead pay to help cover these costs. However, this extra pay is not always a sure thing for every load, so drivers must plan carefully.
Why deadhead miles happen
Empty miles often happen because there is no freight in a certain area. If a driver drops off goods in a small town, there might not be any local loads ready to go. To keep moving, the driver must travel to a busier hub where more cargo is waiting. This gap in freight volume is a common challenge in the industry. Teams and drivers use load boards to find new freight and keep these gaps as small as possible. Moving to a new location is sometimes the only way to find a high-paying load.
Ways to reduce empty miles
Drivers can use several tools to keep their deadhead miles low. Trip planning tools and digital load boards help drivers find freight that is close to their current drop-off spot. Working with a reliable team can also lead to better load matching. Some drivers look for “backhaul” loads. These are shipments that take them back toward their home base. By keeping the trailer full as often as possible, drivers can boost their pay and grow their trucking business. Good planning keeps the business running well and helps the driver stay profitable over the long term.
Why do empty miles reduce trucking profit?
Driving without a load is a common part of the trucking business. In the trucking world, people call these empty miles “deadhead mileage.” While you often must drive empty to reach a new load. These miles can hurt your bottom line. Every mile your truck moves costs money, but empty miles do not bring in pay. Handling these miles well is key to keeping your business healthy for the long term.
Direct costs of driving empty
The most clear cost of deadhead mileage is fuel. A truck burns fuel whether the trailer is full or empty. While an empty truck gets better gas mileage, the cost still adds up fast. You also have to think about wear and tear. Tires, brakes, and engine parts all age with every mile driven. These costs are hard to recover when there is no pay from a load to cover them. Research shows that empty miles are a big factor in the profit of trucking firms across the country.
Owner-operators must watch their cost per mile closely. If you drive too many empty miles, your average pay per mile drops. This makes it harder to pay for truck notes, insurance, and plates. Some brokers may offer deadhead pay to help, but this is not always the case. For example, a broker might pay 60 to 90 cents per mile to cover your costs. Even then, the driver often bears most of the cost of the trip to the next pickup point. For those looking for better earnings, checking owner-operator percentage pay plans can help manage these costs better.
Maintenance and truck value also play a large role. Every mile on the road lowers the resale price of your truck. This is called depreciation. When those miles are empty, you are losing truck value without making any money to cover the loss. Frequent oil changes and tire swaps become more costly when they are not backed by steady pay. Over time, these small costs can lead to a large gap in your yearly earnings.
Lost time and hidden risks
Time is just as valuable as fuel in trucking. Hours of Service rules limit how much you can drive each day. Every hour you spend on a deadhead trip is an hour you cannot spend hauling a paid load. This “lost chance” means you might miss out on a big shipment because you were busy driving to a new area. It is a trade-off that requires careful planning and the use of load boards to find the best routes.
Using tools to find backhauls can help you stay on track. If you can find a load for your return trip, you turn those empty miles into paid miles. This is the best way to keep your truck moving and your bank account growing. Carriers that plan ahead and work with solid partners see higher profits. This is better than taking any load without a plan for the next one.
There are also risks that do not show up on a bill. The more miles you drive, the higher the chance of a road mishap or a breakdown. Driving empty can even be more risky in high winds because the trailer is lighter and less stable. When you are not being paid for the mile, you are taking on this risk for free. By keeping empty miles low, you protect both your truck and your wallet from these hidden dangers.
| Factor. | Loaded Miles. | Deadhead Miles. |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue. | Full rate per mile. | Zero or small flat fee. |
| Fuel Usage. | Higher per mile. | Lower per mile. |
| Wear and Tear. | High impact. | Moderate impact. |
| Labor Time. | Paid work time. | Unpaid or low-pay time. |
| Profit Margin. | High chance. | Negative or very low. |
How do you calculate deadhead percentage?
Every mile you drive without a load costs you money. In the truck field, these are called empty miles. If you want a business that pays well, you must track your deadhead mileage. This number shows how much time you spend moving without pay. High empty miles can hurt your profit. They make it hard to stay in business over time.
The deadhead percentage formula
Finding this number is easy. You take your empty miles and divide them by your total miles. Then, you multiply that by 100. This gives you your rate. Most drivers want to keep this number as low as they can. Research shows that empty miles are a big factor in how much a truck firm makes. If you do not watch this rate, you might lose money on every trip.
To get exact results, you must keep good logs. You need to know the miles you drove while full and the miles you drove while empty. Many owner-operators use tools to track these numbers every week. Tracking your miles helps you see if you are picking the best loads for your truck. It also helps you understand the trucking expenses tied to fuel and wear.
- Find your total deadhead miles for the week. This is the path you drove with an empty trailer.
- Find your total miles driven. Add your full miles to your empty miles to get this sum.
- Divide the empty miles by the total miles. This will give you a small number with a dot.
- Multiply that number by 100. This turns the result into a percent.
- Think about your pay. Some jobs pay for empty miles, but many do not.
A simple worked example
Let’s look at one trip. Say you drop off a load and drive 100 miles to pick up the next one. That 100 miles is your empty path. Then, you drive 400 miles to bring the new load to its spot. These are your full miles. To find your total path, you add 100 and 400 to get 500 total miles. This trip took you through two states and used a lot of fuel.
Now, use the math. Divide 100 by 500. This gives you 0.20. Next, multiply 0.20 by 100. Your deadhead percentage for that trip is 20 percent. This means one-fifth of your work was for no pay. By tracking this, you can tell if the next load is worth the drive. It helps you pick the right jobs to keep your business strong.
How to track your empty miles
You should track your miles for every job you take. This helps you find trends in your work. Some routes might always have long empty trips. If you see this, you can look for better loads or change your path. Using tools like load boards can help you find back-hauls. This will reduce your empty miles and help you earn more.
Good logs are the best way to run your firm. If you know your costs, you can make better choices. You might find that some brokers pay a bit for empty miles. Keep your logs up to date so you always know where your cash goes. Over time, this habit will help you grow. It makes your truck business more stable and helps you reach your goals.
How can drivers reduce deadhead mileage?
Reducing deadhead mileage is one of the fastest ways to boost your take-home pay. Every mile you drive empty costs you money in fuel and wear without bringing in a cent of revenue. While some brokers offer deadhead pay to help cover these costs, it often does not cover the full expense of running your truck. Smart drivers use a few key steps to keep their trailers full and their profits high.
Plan your next load early
The best time to look for your next load is before you even drop off your current one. Waiting until you are empty to start your search often leads to longer waits or taking bad loads just to stay moving. Use load boards to find reloads near your delivery point. This helps you skip the long drive to a new pick-up spot. Planning ahead also lets you see if a high-paying load is worth the empty miles you might have to drive to get it.
Evaluate all-in route economics
A high rate per mile can be a trap if it leaves you in a “dead zone” for freight. Drivers should look at the total route economics rather than just the first load’s pay. If a load pays well but takes you to an area with no return freight, you might lose all those gains driving back empty. Calculate your total pay divided by all miles driven, including the deadhead, to find your true earnings. Monitoring your cost per mile ensures you only take loads that actually grow your business.
Choose better freight lanes
Staying in busy freight lanes makes it much easier to find back-to-back loads. Some areas have much more outbound freight than others, which keeps your deadhead miles low. If you find yourself in a quiet area, you may need to negotiate for repositioning pay with your broker. This helps cover the cost of moving your truck to a better lane. Working with a company that has a strong owner-operator program can also give you access to better freight and more tools to keep your truck loaded.
Collaborate with shippers and brokers
Building strong ties with shippers and brokers can lead to more consistent work. Many shippers want to optimize their logistics and reduce empty miles for their carriers. By talking to your regular contacts, you may find “triangulation” opportunities. This is when you pick up a load from a nearby shipper that takes you back toward your home base or a busy lane. These steady routes help you avoid the risk of the open market and keep your deadhead percentage low.
How dispatchers help limit empty miles
Deadhead mileage is a big cost for truck drivers. It happens when you drive a truck with no load. You spend money on fuel and wear but do not get paid. Good dispatchers work hard to stop this. They find loads that keep your truck full as much as possible. This helps your business make more money over time.
Plan for the next load early
A great dispatcher does not wait for a drop-off to find the next load. They look ahead at where you are going. They find a new load in that same area before you get there. This timing is key to cutting down on empty miles. By matching your drop-off time with a new pick-up, they keep you moving.
Moving between loads is often when deadhead mileage happens. Dispatchers use tools to see which areas have the most freight. They guide you toward busy spots. This makes it easier to find a quick reload. It also helps you avoid long drives to pick up your next load.
Track past loads and routes
Dispatchers also look at past loads to make better picks. They know which routes often lead to empty miles. By tracking this data, they can pick better freight for you. They help you choose lanes that have a high chance of a backhaul. This kind of lane planning is a proven way to reduce deadheading for trucking firms.
Sometimes a high-paying load is not the best pick. If that load takes you to a “dead” zone, you might drive many miles empty to get out. A dispatcher helps you balance the rate with the deadhead miles. They may suggest a load with a lower rate that keeps you in a good lane. This plan often leads to more profit at the end of the week.
Manage pick-up times
Dispatchers also help by talking to shippers and those who get the load. They make sure pick-up and drop-off times work together. If a load is late, it can ruin the plan for the next load. This can force a driver to take an empty run just to stay on track. A dispatcher tracks these times to keep the flow smooth.
They also help you find loads that fit your clock. Drivers must follow strict hours-of-service rules. If a dispatcher knows you are low on time, they find a load that is close by. This stops you from driving empty miles while your clock runs out. Matching these times is a big part of trip planning for owner-operators.
Our dispatch service focuses on these smart moves. We use freight logistics to map out the best paths for our drivers. This keeps your truck full and your costs low. AG Express Line’s Rent 2 Own trucking program also helps drivers reduce financial pressure by eliminating the need for a large down payment.
What deadhead metrics should carriers track?
To run a strong trucking business, you must know your numbers. Tracking key data points helps you see where you are losing money on empty miles. Watch these facts each week. You can then make better choices about which loads to take and lanes to avoid. This keeps your truck moving and your bank account growing.
Track your deadhead mileage and total distance
You must track every mile your truck travels during the week. This starts with deadhead mileage, which is the distance you drive with an empty trailer. You should also record your total miles. This number includes both loaded and empty distance. Keeping a log of these facts allows you to see the full picture of your weekly work.
Many drivers use a simple log or an app to record these trips. By knowing your total distance, you can find out how much of your time is spent making money. Driving empty costs you in fuel and wear but brings in no pay. Tracking these two numbers is the first step to success in a rent to own truck program.
Find your deadhead rate
Your deadhead rate is one of the most key numbers in your business. To find it, take your empty miles and divide them by your total miles for the week. For example, if you drive 2,500 total miles and 500 are empty, your rate is 20 percent. Most experts suggest keeping this number as low as you can to stay in the green.
A high rate means you are spending too much time moving air instead of freight. Research shows that empty miles have a big impact on carrier profits across the industry. If you see this number rise, it may be time to look for better load boards. You might also need to change your route planning. High deadhead rates can quickly eat through your weekly pay.
Track your cost per mile and revenue
To know if you are winning, you must know your cost per mile. This number includes all your costs like fuel, truck rent, and insurance. You should also track your revenue per total mile. This tells you just how much you earn for every mile the wheels turn. It counts both when the trailer is full and when it is empty.
For drivers in an owner-operator program, these money metrics are the gap between success and failure. You should aim for a revenue per total mile that is well above your cost per mile. If the gap between these two numbers gets small, you need to find ways to cut costs. You can also look for higher-paying freight. Watching this trend each week keeps your business on a solid path.
Check your lane history and trends
Tracking your lane history helps you spot patterns over time. You should record which routes and cities often lead to long deadhead trips. Some lanes might pay well for the first leg. However, they might leave you stranded without a return load. By looking at your history, you can avoid these dead zones in the future.
Use your data to find the best spots for quick reloads. If a certain city always has a load waiting, it might be worth a small deadhead trip to get there. Over time, this history becomes a guide for your business. It helps you pick the lanes that keep your deadhead mileage low and your profits high every month.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many deadhead miles are considered normal?
There is no single normal deadhead percentage for every truck, lane, or week. A useful target is a rate that keeps falling while your revenue per total mile stays above your cost per mile. Research confirms that empty miles affect carrier profit. Track your rate each week and compare similar lanes so you can spot costly patterns.
Does deadhead pay cover all of a driver’s expenses?
Deadhead pay is a small fee some brokers or shippers pay for empty miles. This pay may help cover fuel, but it is not standard for every load. It may not cover all costs or the time spent on the road. Drivers should compare any deadhead pay with their true cost per mile before accepting a load.
Are deadhead miles tax deductible for truck drivers?
Business costs tied to deadhead miles may affect an owner-operator’s taxes, but the rules depend on how expenses and mileage are recorded. Keep clear logs of loaded and empty miles, fuel, tolls, and truck costs. Review those records with a qualified tax professional before claiming a deduction.
Is it safe to drive an empty trailer in high winds?
An empty trailer can be harder to control in high winds because it has less weight. Drivers should check weather and road conditions, reduce speed as needed, leave more room, and follow company safety rules. When conditions are unsafe, stop in a safe place and wait for them to improve.
Ready to cut your deadhead miles and boost your pay?
Driving a truck with an empty trailer is a waste of your time and fuel that you can never get back once it is gone. Every single deadhead mile you travel cuts deep into the profit you worked so hard to earn from your last good load drop-off. If you act right now to fix your routes and find better loads, you will see a real boost in your bank account this week. The longer you wait to set up a solid plan, the more cash you will lose to the high costs of running an empty rig. It is vital to keep your trailer full on every trip so that you can make the most money from your time on the road.
Ready to get a free consultation? Call +1 708-523-0003 to contact AG Express Line about dispatch support.
