Term
Deadhead miles
Miles a truck drives empty, usually to reach the next pickup or to return home.
VAULT 33|27 · Updated 12 November 2026 · 1 min read
What it means
Deadhead miles earn no revenue but still cost fuel, driver pay, wear and time. They are one of the main reasons two lanes with the same rate per loaded mile can have very different profits.
Why it matters for your business
Counting deadhead in profit per lane and per customer shows which freight really pays, and where a backhaul or new shipper would fill an empty leg.
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