How to Reduce Deadhead Miles

Know your deadhead limit

For any load there's a point where the empty miles wipe out the profit. The deadhead calculator shows that limit and your real rate per mile driven.

Max deadhead = (rate × loaded miles ÷ cost per mile) − loaded miles

8 ways to cut empty miles

1. Look for the reload before you book. Check outbound freight from the delivery city first.
2. Learn your lanes. Run regular lanes with steady freight both ways.
3. Build backhaul relationships. Shippers and brokers in your delivery areas can give you return loads.
4. Take partial or LTL loads to cover the trip home.
5. Plan home time around freight. Pick home-time windows when your area has outbound loads.
6. Use load board filters for pickups within a set radius of your delivery.
7. Price deadhead in. Use it to negotiate a higher rate with the load profit calculator.
8. Track it monthly. Watch your deadhead percentage in the cost per mile calculator.

When deadhead is worth it

Driving empty to a strong market can be smarter than taking a cheap load into a weak one. Compare whole round trips, not single loads. See how to tell if a load rate is good.

Common questions