Total miles
Loaded miles plus deadhead and other practical repositioning miles tied to the trip.
Written and reviewed by LaneMath Editorial Team. Updated 2026-06-08. LaneMath pages are maintained as practical carrier education using public references, example-only math, and internal editorial review.
Carrier note
Use this term in context with the rate confirmation, broker communication, facility instructions, and billing paperwork. A short definition is useful, but the written load terms control the actual freight decision.
Carrier example
Before calling on a load, a dispatcher adds 55 empty miles to pickup, 720 loaded miles, and an estimated 90 repositioning miles after delivery to build a total-mile figure for the fuel cost and per-mile rate calculation.
Common mistake
Using loaded miles for fuel budgeting — the truck burns fuel over total miles, not just the paid portion, so deadhead and repositioning belong in any cost estimate.
Paperwork note
Total miles is an internal planning number, not a billing figure. Keep it in dispatch notes next to the confirmation so load comparisons are tied to the specific offer.
References and methodology
- Industry terminology and editorial explanation - LaneMath Editorial Desk. Editorial explanations are not official guidance, legal advice, or market data.