The Real Cost of Deadhead Miles (And How to Avoid Them)

In the trucking world, deadhead miles are a silent profit killer. Driving with an empty trailer between loads may feel unavoidable—but over time, it adds up in lost revenue, wasted fuel, and unnecessary wear on your vehicle.

At Merlin Dispatch Solutions, we help owner-operators and small fleets reduce deadhead miles with smart dispatching, efficient load planning, and tailored route strategies. In this blog post, we break down what deadhead miles really cost you—and how to eliminate them from your operations.

What Are Deadhead Miles?

Deadhead miles (also known as empty miles) refer to the distance a truck travels without a paying load. This usually happens after a delivery is made and the driver must travel to another location to pick up the next load—often without compensation.

Example: You drop a load in Houston but your next pickup is in Dallas. That 240-mile journey to Dallas is considered deadhead.

Why Are Deadhead Miles So Costly?

Driving empty doesn’t mean you’re driving for free. Every mile still costs you:

  • Fuel: You're burning diesel without generating income.
  • Maintenance: Tires, brakes, oil, and engine wear continue to accumulate.
  • Driver Time: Hours of service (HOS) are consumed whether you're hauling or not.
  • Opportunity Cost: That time could have been spent on a paying load.

According to industry estimates, the average cost of operating a truck is $1.70+ per mile. Even 200 deadhead miles can cost you $340 or more per trip—with zero revenue.

Hidden Impact on Your Bottom Line

Deadhead miles don’t just affect fuel costs—they reduce your overall profit-per-mile. Let’s say you drive 2,500 miles in a week, but 400 of those are deadhead. That’s 16% of your weekly driving without compensation.

This leads to:

  • Lower revenue per week
  • Poor CPM (Cost Per Mile) performance
  • Increased stress from tighter delivery windows
  • Reduced cash flow for fuel, repairs, and expenses

Why Do Deadhead Miles Happen?

  • Poorly coordinated pickups and drop-offs
  • Gaps in scheduling or dispatching
  • Lack of backhaul or return load planning
  • Low access to nationwide broker networks
  • No dedicated dispatcher managing your lanes

How Merlin Dispatch Solutions Helps You Reduce Deadhead

At Merlin, reducing deadhead miles is one of our top priorities.

Here’s how we help:

1. Strategic Load Planning

We map your week based on pick-up and drop-off locations to keep your trailer full as often as possible.

2. Access to Broker Networks

Our team works with a wide network of brokers and shippers nationwide—giving you better chances to land nearby reloads fast.

3. Backhaul Opportunities

We always search for return loads or partials along your route. If you’re delivering to Atlanta, we find a load headed back or along the way.

4. Dedicated Dispatching

You’re not just another MC number. Your dispatcher knows your preferences, routes, and availability—helping you stay efficient and profitable.

5. Load Board Expertise

We monitor multiple premium load boards, not just one. That increases our chances of booking profitable loads near your current location.

Pro Tips for Avoiding Deadhead Miles

  • Use tools like trucker GPS apps to locate reload options nearby
  • Consider partial loads or LTLs when full loads aren’t available
  • Plan your week in advance, not day by day
  • Avoid accepting deliveries in low-freight zones unless there’s a solid return
  • Work with a dispatcher who understands your lane preferences

Final Thoughts: Fill the Gaps, Boost the Profits

Deadhead miles may seem like part of the job, but they don’t have to be. With better planning, smarter dispatching, and broker relationships, you can turn more miles into money—and fewer into waste.

At Merlin Dispatch Solutions, we specialize in optimizing your routes to reduce downtime, empty miles, and frustration.

Contact us today and let’s help you turn every mile into money.