Truck cost per km calculator (Australia)

Before you can quote a job properly you need to know what every kilometre costs you to run the truck. Put in a year of costs and the calculator works out your cost per km, your cost per hour, and the least you can charge per km to make the margin you want.

Truck cost per km calculator

Distance and time

Kilometres per yearall km, loaded and empty Hours per yearoptional, paid hours on the truck

Running costs

Fuel uselitres per 100 km Diesel price$ per litre ex GST, after fuel tax credits Tyres$ per year Repairs and servicing$ per year

Fixed costs

Rego and CTP$ per year Insurance$ per year Finance or lease repayments$ per year Other fixed costs$ per year: phone, accounting, parking

Driver and margin

Driver wages$ per year, including super and on-costs Target profit margin% of the price you charge

Every figure filled in is an example for a rigid truck, not a real quote or a state's rego price, so put in your own from your accounts. Enter costs ex GST. Margin here is profit as a share of the price (margin on price), not a markup on cost: a 15% margin means $15 of every $100 you charge is profit. This page doesn't save or send anything you type.

How the calculator works

Fuel = km per year ÷ 100 × litres per 100 km × diesel price.
Running costs = fuel + tyres + repairs and servicing. These go up the more you drive.
Fixed costs = rego and CTP + insurance + finance or lease + other fixed costs. You pay these whether the truck moves or not.
Driver costs = wages including super and on-costs, shown on their own line.
Cost per km = total yearly cost ÷ km per year. If you put in hours per year, cost per hour = total yearly cost ÷ hours.
Minimum rate per km = cost per km ÷ (1 − target margin). This is margin on price, so a 15% margin means 15% of what you charge is profit.

Margin and markup aren't the same thing. A 15% markup on a $2.38 cost gives $2.74 a km, which is only about a 13% margin. This page uses margin on price, so the rate it gives you hits the margin you asked for.

Use every kilometre the truck does, including running empty back to the yard. If you only charge for loaded km, put in loaded km instead and the rate will cover the empty running too.

Once you know your rate, use the freight quote calculator to compare pricing a job by the hour, by the km or by the load. If diesel has moved since you set your rates, the fuel levy calculator works out the surcharge to add.

Common questions

What diesel price should I put in?
What a litre really costs you: the pump price less GST, less the fuel tax credit if you claim it. Your fuel card statements are a good guide.

Should I include my own wage as an owner-driver?
Yes. Put in what you'd have to pay someone to drive the truck, including super. Otherwise the truck looks cheaper to run than it is, and your profit is really just your wage.

How often should I work this out?
At least once a year, and whenever a big cost changes: a new truck, a new finance deal, an insurance renewal or a jump in wages.

Price every job from your rate card

TrakkHQ prices each job from the customer's rate card, including fuel levy, waiting time and tolls, and sends the invoices to Xero.

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This calculator is general information, not financial advice. Use figures from your own accounts and get advice for your circumstances.