Truck Driver Overtime Calculator: Miles to Regular Rate (2026)

Step One Is Coverage, Not Math

Run the exemption question first. The Motor Carrier Act exemption only reaches drivers, helpers, loaders and mechanics who affect the safety of vehicles over 10,001 lbs GVWR in interstate commerce. Box trucks, sprinter vans and most last-mile delivery work fall under the small vehicle exception and are owed overtime. Test yours against the small vehicle exception guide before assuming you are exempt.

If you are covered, the trucking overtime calculator does the conversion below.

Turning Cents-Per-Mile Into an Hourly Rate

Piece-rate pay still has a regular rate: everything earned that week divided by every hour worked.

| Line | Amount |

| --- | --- |

| 2,100 miles at $0.62 | $1,302.00 |

| Stop pay (6 × $20) | $120.00 |

| Detention (4 hrs at $18) | $72.00 |

| Weekly earnings | $1,494.00 |

| Hours actually worked | 52 |

| Regular rate ($1,494 ÷ 52) | $28.73 |

| Overtime premium (12 × $14.37) | $172.38 |

| Gross pay | $1,666.38 |

The premium is half the regular rate, because the mileage already paid straight time for all 52 hours. Skip that line and the week is $172 short.

The Hours Drivers Forget to Count

Pre-trip and post-trip inspections, fueling, dock waiting, loading and unloading, yard moves and required paperwork are hours worked for a non-exempt driver. Detention at a customer dock where you cannot leave is engaged-to-wait time — see waiting time rules. Sleeper-berth time off duty generally is not.

Keep Two Logs

Your ELD records driving hours for safety compliance; it does not record everything you were paid for. Keep your own note of dock arrival and release times. When employer records are incomplete, a driver's reasonable reconstruction of hours can carry a claim.

Where to Read More

The exemption itself is unpacked in the Motor Carrier Act guide, and the pay rules in the truck driver overtime guide.