Every rate decision starts with one number: what your truck costs per kilometre. This truck operating cost calculator combines fixed and variable costs into a single figure you can price against — and keeps it current as diesel and maintenance move.
These accrue whether the truck turns a wheel or sits in the yard. Spread across your realistic annual kilometres, they form the base of your cost per kilometre.
These move with every kilometre you cover and are where most operators underestimate. Tyres and scheduled servicing in particular get forgotten until the invoice lands.
Once you know your operating cost, every quote becomes arithmetic instead of a gut call. Feed the number into the load calculator and you'll see instantly whether a job clears your costs, and by how much per hour.
For a prime mover and trailer, most operators land between $1.40 and $2.00 per kilometre in running costs before profit, depending on fuel burn, finance and how many kilometres are turned each year. Lighter rigids sit lower; roadtrain and specialised work sits higher.
Fixed costs happen whether the truck moves or not — finance, registration, insurance, permits, accounting. Variable costs happen per kilometre — fuel, tyres, servicing, repairs, tolls and AdBlue. You need both to get a true cost per kilometre.
At least quarterly, and any time diesel moves more than about 10 cents a litre, you refinance, or you change lanes. Costs drift quietly and rates rarely follow on their own.
Yes. If your own labour isn't costed, the business looks profitable while you effectively work for nothing. Include a realistic driver wage before you look at margin.