If you are an owner-operator in a Cargo Van, Sprinter, or Box Truck looking at loads on the Indianapolis to San Francisco lane, the advertised broker rate is only half the story. Here is the actual math you need before submitting a bid.
Market Average Rate
$1.00 / mile
Total Loaded Miles
2254 mi
Gross Payout
$2,254.00
Weight Class
Cargo Van / Sprinter Capacity
🚨 The Deadhead Trap
Brokers won't tell you this, but the average outbound deadhead to find a reload out of San Francisco is roughly 81 miles. When you factor those empty miles into your trip, your true Cost-Per-Mile (CPM) drops from $1.00 to a devastating $0.97/mile.
Don't drive blind. A $0.97 CPM in a market where fuel and insurance are rising means you are hauling cheap freight and subsidizing the broker's profit margin with your own van's depreciation.
Calculate Your Exact Margin & Bid Like A Pro