Owner driver rates

Owner Driver Rates Calculator for Australian truck operators.

Set rates from your real numbers, not a guess. TruckProfit's owner driver rates calculator turns your fuel burn, empty kilometres, tolls, tyres, maintenance, finance and insurance into a defensible rate per kilometre — and shows the take-home profit on any load in about 30 seconds.

Why rate-per-kilometre guesswork costs you money

Most owner-drivers price from what the last operator accepted, not from what the truck actually costs to run. That works until diesel moves or a lane adds 180 empty kilometres. A rates calculator built around your own cost base means every quote clears the truck before it clears the yard.

  • Fuel priced at your real litres per 100 km, not a national average
  • Empty and repositioning kilometres costed properly
  • Tolls, permits and levies attached to the lane that incurs them
  • GST separated so the profit figure is genuinely yours

How to calculate owner driver rates step by step

Start with annual fixed costs — finance, registration, insurance, accounting, phone and admin — and divide them by the kilometres you realistically turn in a year. Add variable costs per kilometre: fuel, tyres, servicing, repairs and tolls. That sum is your break-even cost per kilometre. Add the margin your business needs to survive downtime and you have your rate. The calculator does every step of this for you.

From rate to decision

A rate on its own doesn't tell you whether a load is worth taking. TruckProfit also gives you profit per hour, profit per kilometre, margin percentage and a take, negotiate or decline verdict — so you can answer a broker on the phone with a number you trust.

Frequently asked questions

What is a fair rate per kilometre for an owner driver in Australia?

It depends entirely on your cost per kilometre. Most single-truck operators running a semi land somewhere between $1.90 and $2.80 per kilometre once fuel, tyres, maintenance, registration, insurance, finance and a wage for yourself are included. The only rate that matters is one that clears your own CPK with a margin on top.

How do I work out my owner driver rates?

Add every fixed cost for the year (finance, registration, insurance, permits, accounting), divide by your realistic annual kilometres, then add your variable costs per kilometre (fuel, tyres, servicing, tolls). That total is your break-even. Apply your target margin to get the rate you quote.

Should I include empty kilometres in my rate?

Always. Running 220 km empty to a pickup costs real fuel and real wear. TruckProfit's owner driver rates calculator asks for empty kilometres separately so your rate per loaded kilometre reflects the whole trip.

Does the calculator handle GST?

Yes. Enter the rate as quoted and TruckProfit separates the GST component so the profit figure you see is what actually stays in the business after BAS.

Is the owner driver rates calculator free?

Yes. The calculator, saved calculations and basic profit reports are free forever. AI load analysis and advanced reporting are on the Professional plan.

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