Truck cost per kilometre calculator
Calculate fixed and variable truck costs, fuel cost and the true break-even operating cost per kilometre.
This result is a planning aid. Always verify legal limits, vehicle documents, route restrictions and carrier tariffs separately.
Video tutorial
Watch how to use “Truck cost per kilometre calculator” in practice.
How to calculate the true truck cost per kilometre
True truck cost per kilometre combines fixed monthly costs, diesel, AdBlue and all other variable costs. Use every kilometre the truck drives, including empty kilometres, because those kilometres still consume fuel, tyres, maintenance capacity and working time.
Illustrative worked example
Example inputs only — use your own truck, driver, toll and fuel costs in the calculator.
| Cost component | Input | Cost per km |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed costs | €4,500/month ÷ 10,000 km | €0.450/km |
| Diesel | 28 L/100 km × €1.70/L ÷ 100 | €0.476/km |
| AdBlue | 1.5 L/100 km × €0.80/L ÷ 100 | €0.012/km |
| Maintenance + tyres + tolls + driver variable + other | €0.12 + €0.05 + €0.20 + €0.00 + €0.05 | €0.420/km |
| True operating cost | €0.450 + €0.476 + €0.012 + €0.420 | €1.358/km |
| Monthly operating cost | €1.358 × 10,000 km | €13,580 |
Diesel cost per km by consumption and fuel price
Illustrative price inputs. Diesel cost/km = consumption ÷ 100 × diesel price.
| Consumption | €1.50/L | €1.70/L | €1.90/L | €2.10/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 L/100 km | €0.375/km | €0.425/km | €0.475/km | €0.525/km |
| 28 L/100 km | €0.420/km | €0.476/km | €0.532/km | €0.588/km |
| 30 L/100 km | €0.450/km | €0.510/km | €0.570/km | €0.630/km |
| 35 L/100 km | €0.525/km | €0.595/km | €0.665/km | €0.735/km |
How monthly distance changes fixed cost per km
Example with €4,500 in monthly fixed costs. Fixed cost per km falls as the same monthly bill is spread across more kilometres.
| All km per month | Fixed cost per km |
|---|---|
| 6,000 km | €0.750/km |
| 8,000 km | €0.563/km |
| 10,000 km | €0.450/km |
| 12,000 km | €0.375/km |
| 15,000 km | €0.300/km |
Common questions
Should empty kilometres be included in truck cost per km?
Yes. Use all kilometres driven, loaded and empty. Empty kilometres still create fuel, maintenance, tyre, labour and equipment costs.
Is break-even cost per km the same as the selling rate?
No. Break-even is the operating cost calculated from your inputs. A selling rate normally needs to cover that cost plus the gross margin and any trip-specific charges you require.
How is diesel cost per kilometre calculated?
Multiply fuel consumption in L/100 km by diesel price per litre and divide by 100. At 28 L/100 km and €1.70/L, diesel costs €0.476 per km.
Should tolls be added twice?
No. If your €/km base already includes tolls, do not add the same toll cost again as a trip-specific extra.
Method: the examples use the same all-kilometre operating-cost logic as the calculator. Values are illustrative planning inputs, not industry averages, tax advice or accounting advice.
Last verified: 2026-08-31
How do you calculate the true truck cost per kilometre?
- Divide monthly fixed costs by all kilometres actually driven, including empty kilometres. This gives the fixed-cost component per kilometre.
- Fuel cost per kilometre = consumption L/100 km × diesel price €/L ÷ 100. EuroTruckTools suggests the latest diesel price stored for the selected country, but you can always replace it with your actual card or contracted price.
- Example: €20,000 of monthly fixed costs over 10,000 km equals €2.00/km before fuel and other variable costs. At 30 L/100 km and €1.60/L, fuel adds €0.48/km.
- Add AdBlue, repairs, maintenance, tyres, tolls, variable driver costs and other real per-kilometre expenses to the fuel cost.