Calculate the complete route
Include empty positioning and every loading, unloading and intermediate leg so the denominator reflects the truck movement being priced.
Rate and break-even analysis
Freight Rate per Kilometre Calculator
Convert the complete route economics into comparable euro-per-kilometre values. Review internal break-even cost per kilometre, client rate per kilometre and profit per kilometre using the actual planned distance, including optional empty positioning.
Break-even €/km
Client €/km
Profit €/km
Full route
Rate workflow
How to calculate freight rate per kilometre
A useful rate-per-kilometre figure must use the complete route distance and complete trip economics. Ignoring deadhead, tolls or time cost can make an apparently profitable rate fall below break-even.
Build internal trip cost
Add distance-based cost, fuel surcharge, tolls, fixed expenses, driver salary and vehicle time cost.
Compare rate levels
Divide internal cost and client price by total distance to see break-even, selling rate and profit per kilometre.
Rate comparison formulas
Break-even €/km = internal transport cost ÷ total distance; client €/km = client price ÷ total distance
Rate inputs
What belongs in a rate-per-kilometre calculation?
The final €/km result is only as reliable as the cost and distance underneath it. Use the whole route and include the expenses that the vehicle actually creates.
Total planned distance
Use loaded, intermediate and empty positioning kilometres rather than only invoiceable loaded distance.
Country-rate cost
Distance segments can use different configured rates depending on the country crossed.
Fuel surcharge
A percentage-based fuel adjustment changes the internal cost and therefore the break-even rate.
Tolls and fixed expenses
Road charges, ferries and route-specific costs must be recovered by the selling rate.
Driver and vehicle time
Long transit time can increase cost even when the physical route distance does not change.
Commercial margin
The selected margin turns the internal break-even cost into the final customer price.
Worked example
Example freight rate per kilometre
Assume the complete route is 920 km and the internal transport cost after fuel, tolls, time and fixed expenses is €1,196.00. The break-even cost is therefore €1.30 per kilometre.
With a 15% commercial margin, the client price becomes €1,375.40. Dividing that price by the same complete route distance gives a selling rate of approximately €1.50 per kilometre.
| Rate component | Example result |
|---|---|
| Complete planned distance | 920 km |
| Internal transport cost | €1,196.00 |
| Break-even cost per kilometre | €1.30/km |
| Commercial margin | 15% |
| Client freight price | €1,375.40 |
| Client rate per kilometre | €1.50/km |
| Profit per kilometre | €0.20/km |
Rounded values are used for readability. Calculate commercial decisions from the unrounded totals in the active LogicCalc route.
Commercial advantages
Why compare freight rates per kilometre?
Compare different routes
Turn routes of different lengths into a common €/km measure without losing the underlying trip cost.
Identify the break-even floor
See the rate below which the planned transport would not recover the configured internal costs.
Measure deadhead impact
Understand how empty positioning changes the effective rate across the complete truck movement.
Keep rate and total price together
Use €/km for analysis while still quoting and exporting the full client freight price.
Frequently asked questions
Freight rate per kilometre FAQ
How do I calculate freight rate per kilometre?
Divide the relevant transport amount by the complete planned route distance. Use internal cost for break-even €/km and client price for selling €/km.
Should I use loaded kilometres or total kilometres?
For internal profitability, total truck movement is usually the safer denominator because empty positioning also creates cost. Commercial contracts may use a different convention.
What is break-even cost per kilometre?
It is the internal transport cost divided by the complete route distance. At that rate, the configured costs are recovered but no commercial profit is added.
How do tolls affect the rate per kilometre?
Tolls increase internal trip cost. When the same distance remains unchanged, the break-even and required client rates per kilometre increase.
Is the default country rate the same as the final client rate?
No. Country rates are inputs used to calculate distance-based cost. The final client rate also reflects fuel, tolls, time costs, fixed expenses and margin.
Can I compare rate per kilometre between saved routes?
LogicCalc keeps full route totals in the calculation and saved route workflow. Divide comparable totals by complete distance using the same cost assumptions.
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Choose the right calculator for the route.
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Find the break-even rate behind the quote
Build the route, include every relevant cost and compare internal and client euro-per-kilometre values before accepting the order.
Rate-per-kilometre analysis is a commercial planning tool. Contract structures, minimum charges, waiting time, market conditions and route-specific risks may require pricing beyond a simple €/km comparison.