Practical trucking insights. This article is general educational information; review the requirements of your operation and the terms of your particular contracts.
Calculating Your True Cost
Every mile you drive empty is a mile you are paying for out of your own pocket. Fuel, wear and tear, and your time all cost money, whether there’s freight in the trailer or not. To understand the impact of deadhead, you need to know your cost per mile (CPM). If your CPM is $1.50 and you deadhead 100 miles, you just lost $150.
Triangulation Strategies
The best way to minimize deadhead is through strategic load planning. Instead of just looking for a load back home, look for a triangle route that keeps you in strong freight markets and minimizes empty miles between stops.
When Deadhead Makes Sense
Sometimes, deadheading is actually the right move. If you are stuck in a dead market (like Florida outbound in the off-season), driving 300 empty miles to a hot market in Georgia or South Carolina might net you significantly more revenue than taking a cheap load just to keep the wheels turning.
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