The drive to a job is time you can't bill as labor. This works out a callout fee that actually covers your fuel and your round-trip time, so distance stops costing you money.
A fair callout fee covers two things: the fuel to get there and back, and the value of your drive time. Enter the round-trip distance, your vehicle's fuel economy, gas price, and your hourly rate, and this suggests a trip fee that keeps you whole. Charge it as a flat fee, or waive it when the customer books the repair.
Mechanics Alliance members get the full pricing playbook — how to structure trip fees, service-area radius pricing, and when to waive the fee to win the job.
Join free More toolsIt's a popular tactic — it removes the customer's risk on a diagnosis and helps you win the job. Just make sure your labor rate already carries the drive time if you waive it, or only waive it inside a tight service radius.
A flat fee inside your normal service area is simplest for customers. Beyond that radius, add a per-mile rate so a far-out job pays for the extra drive. This calculator gives you the flat number; scale it up for longer trips.