What are deadhead miles?
Deadhead miles are miles driven empty: from the garage to the first pickup, between a drop-off and the next pickup, and back to base at the end of the shift. Payers reimburse loaded miles only, so deadhead is pure cost, consuming fuel, maintenance and driver time with no revenue.
Why deadhead miles matter for NEMT
Total miles minus loaded miles is your deadhead, and the ratio is a direct read on dispatch efficiency. Rural providers often run deadhead above 50 percent; dense urban operations can get under 30 percent. Reduce it by clustering trips geographically, sequencing drop-offs near the next pickup, positioning drivers near facilities before will-call surges, and declining trips that require long empty runs unless the rate covers them. Use the trip cost calculator to price deadhead into your rates.
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