How it works
After delivering a load, a driver typically drives empty to the next pickup location. The distance and duration of that empty leg is the deadhead. Carriers aim for under 10–15% deadhead as a percentage of total miles.
Who uses it
Every motor carrier. Deadhead ratio is one of the core KPIs reviewed alongside revenue per mile, operating ratio, and empty-to-loaded ratio.
Why it matters
A 15% deadhead on a $2.50/mile truck is effectively $0.37/mile in lost revenue. Systematically reducing deadhead from 15% to 8% can add $25,000+ per truck per year.
In Rig Terminal
Rig Terminal's AI Load Scoring model evaluates every available load by deadhead ratio, lane familiarity, and historical profitability — ranking loads so dispatchers book the ones that minimize empty miles.
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