The Importance of Deadhead (All-In Rate & True RPM) ⬇️

A lot of new dispatchers book loads without understanding how deadhead changes the real profitability. Deadhead doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it can completely change whether the load is worth running as it can really change the rpm for the load.

Here’s the simple breakdown:

Deadhead (DH) - Deadhead is empty miles the truck has to drive before picking up a load.

It may seem like no big deal, but it can lead to --> No pay. Still costs fuel. Still adds wear and tear.

Even 40–70 deadhead miles can ruin a “good paying” load.

All-In Rate - This is the total money the load pays from the broker.

(Line haul + Fuel Surcharge = All-In Rate)

When dispatchers say “What’s your all-in?” They mean “What’s the total amount my carrier gets paid?”

True RPM

This is the part most dispatchers skip.

RPM = Rate Per Mile for loaded miles only.True RPM = All-In Rate ÷ (Loaded Miles + Deadhead Miles)

This tells you the actual money per mile when you include the empty miles.

The Following is an Example of the role Deadhead Miles Play