Price the miles the truck will drive, including the ones that do not earn a loaded-mile payment. Enter total loaded miles and total empty miles for the run. For a return trip, include the return miles in the appropriate field.
The formula
Total miles = loaded miles + deadhead miles. Gallons = total miles ÷ MPG. Trip fuel cost = gallons × price per gallon. Fuel cost per loaded mile = trip fuel cost ÷ loaded miles.
A simple example
A hypothetical run with 500 loaded miles and 100 empty miles at 6 MPG consumes 100 gallons. At an example price of $4 per gallon, fuel costs $400: about $0.67 per total mile, but $0.80 per loaded mile. The example price is illustrative, not a current diesel quote.
What this estimate leaves out
Idling, a reefer engine, DEF, tolls, driver pay, maintenance and fixed overhead are not included. Your actual MPG changes with weight, speed, weather and terrain. Use fuel records from your own truck, and add those other expenses before deciding whether a rate works.
Why empty miles matter
A pickup 100 miles away may carry the same posted linehaul as one around the corner. That does not make the two trips equally expensive. Include travel to the pickup and any planned repositioning after delivery before comparing them.
Check weekly regional diesel benchmarks or test a contract fuel surcharge formula.