Operations · Oct 26, 2026 · 8 min read
How to Work Out Profit per Trip for a Small Limo Fleet
By Limozoft Editorial · Reviewed by Limozoft operator research team.
What costs should you include?
Count every cost that exists whether or not the car is moving, then the ones that depend on distance.
- Fixed: vehicle payment or depreciation, insurance, licences, software, phone, parking.
- Variable: fuel, tolls, cleaning, wear and maintenance per mile or kilometre.
- Driver pay if you employ someone, including your own time as a wage.
How do you turn that into a price per hour?
Divide yearly fixed costs by the hours the car is genuinely booked, not hours available. Most small operators sell far fewer hours than they hold the vehicle. Then add the variable cost per hour and the profit you want.
Example with made-up numbers: fixed costs of $18,000 a year over 1,200 booked hours is $15 an hour. Add $9 an hour variable cost and a $20 profit target: you need at least $44 an hour before taxes.
How do you price a one-way trip?
Include the drive to the pickup and any wait. A 40-minute airport transfer may block the car for two hours once you count the return. Price on blocked time, not just the passenger's time.
Where does software fit in?
Software is a fixed cost, and a small one. On Limozoft Starter it is $10 a month plus the one-time $399 setup. What matters is whether it raises booked hours or saves your time on quoting and invoicing.
What is the bottom line?
Small workflow changes compound, so fix the step your dispatchers repeat most often first. Worth keeping in mind: your numbers are different, so the example is a method, not a price list. Limozoft costs $399 one-time plus $10 to $40 a month by fleet size, with no per-trip or per-driver fees, instant email support and a live demo on request.
Worked example (illustrative numbers)
| Item | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly fixed costs | $18,000 | Vehicle, insurance, licences, software |
| Booked hours per year | 1,200 | Not hours available |
| Fixed cost per hour | $15 | 18,000 ÷ 1,200 |
| Variable cost per hour | $9 | Fuel, wear, cleaning |
| Profit target per hour | $20 | Your choice |
| Minimum price per hour | $44 | Sum of the three |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Knowing your minimum hourly price makes it easier to say no to bad work.
- Pricing blocked time stops airport runs from quietly losing money.
Cons
- Your numbers are different, so the example is a method, not a price list.
- Tax is not included, so talk to an accountant about what you keep.
Keep exploring on limozoft.com
Frequently asked questions
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Where to go next on Limozoft
- Limo Anywhere pricing, broken down line by line — what the bill really comes to once add-ons are stacked.
- Limozoft pricing — $399 one-time + $10–$40/mo with every feature included.
- Limozoft vs Limo Anywhere — the 2026 head-to-head on pricing, setup time, driver app and contract terms.
- Best dispatch software for small limo operators (1–15 vehicles).
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