Empty miles are the kilometers a unit travels without useful freight —no associated freight invoice or no shipment cargo. They include returns without backhaul, repositioning, and deadhead between docks; expressed as km and as a percentage of total trip or lane distance.
Every empty km you do not measure hides inside the outbound rate and inside “high” utilization that does not pay for diesel. This guide covers formula, role matrix, ATRI 2026 context (US hedge), and a five-step process tied to backhaul.
- US non-tank empties 2025 (ATRI 2026)
- ~16.5%
- same indicator 2024 (improved 0.2 pts)
- ~16.7%
- empties and outbound on the same trip file
- 1 ID
- real P&L — not outbound rate alone
- Round-trip
Cluster: distribution KPIs · backhaul · fleet utilization · rate confirmation · tendering.
What empty miles are (usable answer)
In Mexico–US operations, empties show up on unbalanced crossings, missed appointments, and “we’ll see on the way back.” If the transportation management system (TMS) does not keep the empty leg on the same object as the outbound, finance cannot audit real cost per km.
Empty miles are the symptom; backhaul is the practice to reduce them. Measure both on the same trip identifier.
Why it matters by role
Each role loses differently when empties live only in traffic’s head. The table fixes the incentive.
| Role | What they gain by measuring | If they ignore it |
|---|---|---|
| Shipper | Negotiate round-trip with data | Subsidizes empties in a “cheap” outbound |
| 3PL / broker | Matching and lane margin | Loses on hidden repositioning |
| Carrier | Prioritize backhaul and cash/day | Burns diesel without an empty KPI |
| Accounts payable | Defensible cost/km | Disputes without coverage evidence |
Formula and trip-file fields
- Empty km
- Legs without useful freight (return, repo, missed appointment) in the period.
- Total km
- Same universe you use for fleet utilization — do not change the denominator.
- Reason
- Classify: return, repositioning, or missed appointment — to act.
| Field | Question | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Empty km | How many and on which leg? | Same ID as outbound |
| Reason | Return, repo, missed appointment? | Classify to act |
| Empty % | Empties ÷ total km? | By trip and by lane |
| Associated rate | Who absorbs the empty? | In confirmation / contract |
| Evidence | GPS + POD / timestamps? | Without this there is no audit |
Empties in Mexico and ATRI context
On unbalanced corridors (for example industrial toward consumer), return empties are often the silent cost of a “cheap” outbound rate. Without GPS and proof of delivery (POD) tied to the same ID, empty percentage is a traffic opinion — not an accounts payable dispute.
Industry reference (US hedge): the ATRI 2026 report puts non-tank empty mileage around ~16.5% in 2025, improved from ~16.7% in 2024. Use it as order of magnitude — calibrate to your fleet, vertical, and Mexico–US corridor.
Cost and lane board: distribution KPIs — logistics Mexico.
How to cut empties in 5 steps
Visibility first; then matching and backhaul.
Measure
Empty km and % by lane
Classify
Return vs repositioning
Design return
Backhaul rules
Tender
Round-trip price when it fits
Audit
Rate vs GPS in the trip file
Mistakes that hide empties in the outbound rate
Elige un paso para ver el detalle
Detalle del paso · 01
Do not always treat empties as “the carrier’s cost”
OCL and the trip file
OCL Cargo is an autonomous transportation management system (TMS) with agents: it helps record and audit empty legs with evidence against the rate, by lane and exception. It coexists with your system of record; your team decides exceptions. When applicable, OCL can stamp invoices and Carta Porte. It does not invent return freight or guarantee an empty percentage.
Key takeaways6 points
- Empty miles = km driven without useful freight: repositioning, return without backhaul, or deadhead between appointments.
- It is the symptom; backhaul is the practice to reduce it. Measure both on the same trip ID.
- ATRI 2026 (US): non-tank empties ~16.5% in 2025 (from ~16.7% in 2024) — industry hedge; calibrate to your operation.
- In Mexico, return empties on unbalanced lanes are often the silent cost of a “cheap” outbound rate.
- Without GPS and proof of delivery (POD) tied in, empty % is a traffic opinion — not an accounts payable dispute.
- Hub: distribution KPIs.
Is your outbound rate hiding empties?
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
Kilometers the truck travels without useful freight — return without cargo, repositioning, or deadhead between appointments.
Empty miles are the symptom (km without freight). Backhaul is the practice of loading the return to reduce those empties.
Typically empty km ÷ total km for the trip or lane over a period. Use the same denominator as your fleet utilization.
No. Sometimes you reposition on purpose. What you can govern is recurring lane empties with no return rule or price.
Depends on the contract and rate confirmation. If it is not written, the cost hides and nobody disputes with a base.
The ATRI 2026 report (US industry) puts non-tank empty mileage around ~16.5% in 2025 (improved from ~16.7% in 2024). It is a US industry hedge — calibrate to your Mexico–US operation.
Empty visibility by trip/lane, matched to rate and evidence before you pay or renegotiate. When applicable, OCL can stamp invoices and Carta Porte. It does not invent return freight.