<PAGE>
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT 12
                                                                                

                 AMERITRUCK DISTRIBUTION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                        
               COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                      (In thousands, except ratio amounts)
                                  (Unaudited)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Three Months Ended             Six Months Ended
                                                      June 30,                      June 30,
                                                 ------------------           --------------------        
                                                 1998*          1997*         1998*          1997*
                                                 -----          -----         -----          -----      
<S>                                             <C>             <C>          <C>            <C>
Earnings:                                                                              
 Income (loss) before income taxes and                                                          
   extraordinary item                           $  9,456       $ (9,374)     $  2,813       $(12,294)
                                                --------       --------      --------       -------- 
                                                                                       
Fixed charges:                                                                         
 Interest expense and amortization of debt                                             
  discount and premium on all indebtedness         5,721          4,778        11,755          9,272
                                                                                       
 Portion of rent under long-term operating                                             
  leases representative of an interest factor      1,451            718         2,880          1,401
                                                                                       
 Redeemable preferred stock dividend                                                   
  requirements                                        25             23            80             23
                                                --------       --------      --------       -------- 
     Total fixed charges                           7,197          5,519        14,715         10,696
                                                --------       --------      --------       -------- 
                                                                                       
Earnings (loss) before income taxes,                                                   
 extraordinary item and fixed charges           $ 16,653       $ (3,855)     $ 17,528       $ (1,598)
                                                ========       ========      ========       ======== 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges /(1)/            2.31              -          1.19              -
                                                ========       ========      ========       ======== 
</TABLE>

/(1)/  The Company's earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $9,374
       for the three month period ended June 30, 1997 and by $12,294 for the six
       month period ended June 30, 1997.

*      Comparisons between periods are affected by acquisitions see Note 2
       contained in the unaudited Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.