I routinely deadhead approx. 50% of the time (in & out of FL). But the loaded miles pay at least $2.44 per mile (I get 70% of that) + F.S., so I'm doing (relatively) OK doing that.

I don't think it's enough. If you deadhead 50% of the time, you make $1.22 per mile on ALL miles. I shoot at least for 2 bucks per mile for all miles, empty and loaded. Otherwise deadheading doesn't make much financial sense.

But he doesn't pay for the trailer like you do, so he has 1/2 the costs I think.

I run 1,200 miles loaded and 1,200 empty each week...... but I get a flat rate and the trailer is basically empty anyways. I avg $1.82 for all miles

Thats not bad at all,if you were able to cover empty miles on that run.It would been bad if you would have to dead head that much for $1/mile or something like that.For me on my reefer op i try eliminate empty miles from the get-go.If i have to run anything over NY city,i ask for extra knowing that coming out of there is anything less than $1/mile,even as low as 80-90 cents per mile to the truck.And sometimes i get it,sometimes i dont.Most of the time,i book my loads from home(the point where i always start) and really tell the broker that im in no rush booking cheap loads.Works miracles with brokers,when they didnt found a reefer and i get to tell them my price!!

That slogan - "say 'no' to cheap freight" should actually be saying, "say 'no' to unpaid miles" :) I"m not home watching TV and drinking beer - I'm out here trying to make a buck. If my wheels are turning, someone has to pay! I do it simple: open Google Maps, type in my current location into Line 1, type in the load origin in Line 2, add an extra destination line, and type Load destination on Line 3. Hit "directions" and look at the miles. Check to see I'm not sent over ferries and then multiply the miles by 2 :) MINIMUM.

Eg, I'm considering a load from IA to QC.

Deadhead: 770 miles (this is how far I"m from the pickup)
Loaded: 1030 miles
.....................
total miles: 1800 mi

times 2 =

$3,600 (my minimum)

Broker is offering: $3,750; which is above my minimum. So, I might take it, if nothing better is around. I'm not doing any $1/mi deals.

Is that what you CLEAR? or is that Landstar money?

NO to cheap freight.
 

I like the way that you think.

that's what is shown on the load board; it's what the load pays GROSS, otherwise known as 'line-haul'. If that was my NET, I'd be in Bahamas now sipping margaritas.

As long as you are OK with what you will NET, I guess its OK.

Last week I DH'd 190 to PU in Syracuse + 190 back to our yard. Then 550 loaded to the Soo + 550 DH back to the yard. So 700 of 1500 were empty. It paid $3,100 and weighed 10,000#. The broker thought it he was Santa Claus paying me $3,100. I disagreed but did it 'cause they are a regular customer.

Last month we DH'd an RGN ~600 miles to Baltimore for $2,950 on ~600 loaded miles.

That's about the farthest I can remember.