How your net is worked out
Start with what the load pays. Then take off what the whole trip costs you, empty miles included. Your truck burns fuel on the way to the pickup and on the way home, so total miles are loaded miles plus deadhead.
From there, the costs are:
- Fuel: total miles divided by your MPG, times the fuel price.
- Other costs: total miles times your other cost per mile.
- Tolls for the trip.
Net is the pay minus those three. Net per loaded mile is that net divided by the loaded miles.
What the break-even rate tells you
Break-even is your total cost divided by the loaded miles. It is the lowest rate per loaded mile that covers your costs on this load. Below it, the load costs you money to run.
Use it before you book. Compare it with the rate on the board. When the two are close, one long wait at the dock or a detour can wipe out what is left. Set your own floor from your own numbers. See Amazon Relay rates for how pricing works.
Why net per mile beats the posted rate per mile
The posted rate per mile does not know your truck. It leaves out your fuel, your driver pay and the empty miles you drive to get to the pickup.
Two loads can post the same rate and leave you with very different money once deadhead is counted. Net per loaded mile puts every load on the same footing, so you compare what each one leaves you after costs. For what affects pay on Relay, read how much Amazon Relay pays.