What is the bottom dollar per mile we should be expected to haul in a dry van?

$1/mile is probably my absolute minimum, but really I'd only consider 200-400 mile runs paying that low and only if they brought me to a $3+ mile area... I break even at $1.30

Well thought out comment, Double. As per your usual. I am right there where you are, and work on fuel efficiency, avoiding slow traffic areas (trip planning is an art form) and other cost reduction strategies to squeeze additional profit from that breakeven point. I use $.13/mile for my maintenance account in that breakeven figure.

 

As long as a broker can get some fool to haul for 50cnts/mile the rate will never go up,,a truck owner should never haul a load below his cost no matter what the next load pays,, $2/mile min and for specialized loads much more,
Remember you must add your no loaded empty non revenue miles into you total miles operational cost,,If your empty miles are 10%of your total miles then you need to add 10% more to your loaded mile cost,, when running empty you must include wages, fuel, maintenance , office ,overhead, insurance and equipment ,Etc to figure you actual cost,,
Don't be afraid to ask for what you are worth,,you have a right to make a profit for ever load you haul,,Remember you are running a business not a charity..

 

I'm with double yellow. I'm just going to find a load that pays enough to cover my deadhead. I'll still call on a cheap load and ask them if they want it moved for a fair price, click.

 

Not for under $1.50 and I'm leased.