Fleet and transport
Detour break-even calculator
Your inputs
Complete only the fields for your selected method. Use one consistent job or reporting period. Use zero for a known zero amount only when the field permits it. Missing costs and market rates are not added automatically. Currency selection labels amounts; it does not convert exchange rates.
How this calculation works
detour cost = extra miles × (vehicle cost + fuel price / mpg) + tolls + detour minutes × time cost / 60 + detour late cost; waiting cost = delay × wait time cost / 60 + wait late cost
Cost comparison only. Verify route access separately. Positive savings favor the detour. The break-even wait is zero when the entered detour cost is already at or below the fixed waiting cost. Enter fuel and late costs from the same dated planning snapshot. Use your own records for the same scope and period. Example figures are illustrative, not industry benchmarks. Results exclude income taxes and any cost you have not entered. Check the result before pricing work or committing resources.
What information do I need?
Use records for the same job, equipment or accounting period. Only the fields for your selected entry method are required. An unknown amount is not zero.
Input definitions and where to find them
- Detour access status: Choose the entry method matching the information you have. Only its active inputs are required.
- Extra detour distance (mi): Use the matching measured quantity, time log, schedule or clearly stated estimate. Zero means intentionally none; an unknown amount is not zero.
- Extra detour time (minutes): Use the matching measured quantity, time log, schedule or clearly stated estimate. Zero means intentionally none; an unknown amount is not zero.
- Fuel economy (mi/gal): Use the matching measured quantity, time log, schedule or clearly stated estimate. Zero means intentionally none; an unknown amount is not zero.
- Entered fuel price per gallon (selected currency): Use a supplier quote, invoice, payroll record or allocated cost for the exact job or period named here. Include this amount only once.
- Other vehicle cost per extra mile (selected currency): Use a supplier quote, invoice, payroll record or allocated cost for the exact job or period named here. Include this amount only once.
- Extra detour tolls (selected currency): Use a supplier quote, invoice, payroll record or allocated cost for the exact job or period named here. Include this amount only once.
- Detour crew and vehicle time cost per hour (selected currency): Use a supplier quote, invoice, payroll record or allocated cost for the exact job or period named here. Include this amount only once.
- Waiting time cost per hour (selected currency): Use a supplier quote, invoice, payroll record or allocated cost for the exact job or period named here. Include this amount only once.
- Late-arrival cost if detouring (selected currency): Use a supplier quote, invoice, payroll record or allocated cost for the exact job or period named here. Include this amount only once.
- Late-arrival cost if waiting (selected currency): Use a supplier quote, invoice, payroll record or allocated cost for the exact job or period named here. Include this amount only once.
- Short wait scenario (minutes): Use the matching measured quantity, time log, schedule or clearly stated estimate. Zero means intentionally none; an unknown amount is not zero.
- Expected wait scenario (minutes): Use the matching measured quantity, time log, schedule or clearly stated estimate. Zero means intentionally none; an unknown amount is not zero.
- Long wait scenario (minutes): Use the matching measured quantity, time log, schedule or clearly stated estimate. Zero means intentionally none; an unknown amount is not zero.
Use the Where to find this value controls beside the inputs for available work-it-out helpers. Estimates remain your assumptions; a helper does not verify the source figures.
Worked example
Example amounts use US dollars (USD).
Example answer: Detour access is Unconfirmed. Check official restrictions. for the illustrative inputs below.
Example inputs
- Detour access status: Unconfirmed
- Extra detour distance: 28.00 mi
- Extra detour time: 35.00 minutes
- Fuel economy: 15.00 mi/gal
- Entered fuel price per gallon: $4.00
- Other vehicle cost per extra mile: $0.22
- Extra detour tolls: $0.00
- Detour crew and vehicle time cost per hour: $45.00
- Waiting time cost per hour: $45.00
- Late-arrival cost if detouring: $0.00
- Late-arrival cost if waiting: $0.00
- Short wait scenario: 20.00 minutes
- Expected wait scenario: 45.00 minutes
- Long wait scenario: 90.00 minutes
- Detour access
- Unconfirmed. Check official restrictions.
- Detour cost
- $39.88
- Expected wait cost
- $33.75
- Detour savings at expected wait
- -$6.13
- Break-even wait
- 53.17 minutes
- Detour savings at short wait
- -$24.88
- Detour savings at long wait
- $27.62
These illustrative values are not recommended rates or industry averages. Replace every example input with your own figures.
Use the result well
Inputs come from your own records and stated assumptions; no rates or legal limits are looked up.
Review the entered assumptions and calculator limits before using these results.