Truck route planning that connects each decision
Load planning starts at the truck’s real location. Empty travel to pickup, the loaded route, appointment windows, and time available all need to work together. After delivery, the next opportunity and any repositioning can change the economics again.
TOAD’s approach is to present these factors together so the carrier can evaluate a trip with more context. A rate-per-mile number is useful, but it does not measure every cost or constraint.
Five things to review before approval
- All miles: loaded travel plus known empty miles and planned repositioning.
- Time: pickup, delivery, waiting, driver availability, and home time.
- Operating costs: fuel, tolls, maintenance, fees, and the carrier’s own cost structure.
- Destination: what the arrival location means for the next move.
- Load details: equipment fit, cargo requirements, appointments, and written terms.
Gross rate per total mile
Divide gross load revenue by loaded miles plus empty miles. For example, $2,150 over 680 loaded miles and 25 empty miles is approximately $3.05 per total mile. That figure is before dispatch fees and operating costs.
| Load detail | LOAD A | LOAD B |
|---|---|---|
| Gross revenue | $2,400 | $2,150 |
| Loaded miles | 750 mi | 680 mi |
| Empty miles | 180 mi | 25 mi |
| Total miles | 930 mi | 705 mi |
| Gross / total mile | $2.58 | $3.05 |
Example calculations, not live freight or projected earnings. These figures are before dispatch fees, fuel, tolls, maintenance, and other operating costs.
Run your own numbers in the calculator, then compare the result with your actual costs and schedule.
Florida and Southeast lane planning
Florida and the Southeast are TOAD’s lane focus. A Florida outbound trip and its return plan should be considered together. Current freight availability and rates must be checked at the time of booking; this site does not display live load-board data.