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How much can box truck owner-operators earn in Arkansas (AR)? Estimated rates, gross and net monthly income, cost of living impact, fuel costs, and top lanes in the South Central region.
Rate Per Mile
$1.88
+1.6% vs national
Est. Gross Monthly
$11,280
+1.6% vs national
Est. Net Monthly
$6,367
After COL-adjusted expenses
| Metric | Arkansas | National Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rate/Mile | $1.88 | $1.85 | +1.6% |
| Gross Monthly | $11,280 | $11,100 | +1.6% |
| Est. Net Monthly | $6,367 | $7,215 | -11.8% |
| Cost of Living | 89 (Below Average) | 100 (Baseline) | -11% |
| Fuel Tax | 24.8c/gal | ~32c/gal | Below avg |
Arkansas's below-average cost of living (index 89) is a genuine advantage for box truck owner-operators. Your $1.88/mile rate stretches further here — fuel, food, housing, and operating costs are all lower than the national baseline. This makes AR one of the better states for net take-home pay.
| Category | Est. Monthly | % of Gross |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel | $1,405 | 12.5% |
| Insurance | $451 | 4.0% |
| Truck Payment / Lease | $1,260 | 11.2% |
| Maintenance & Repairs | $451 | 4.0% |
| Tires | $300 | 2.7% |
| Permits & Licenses | $134 | 1.2% |
| Food & Living | $712 | 6.3% |
| Phone / Software | $200 | 1.8% |
| Total Expenses | $4,913 | 43.6% |
| Net Take-Home | $6,367 | 56.4% |
Expenses adjusted for Arkansas's cost of living index (89). Actual costs vary by individual circumstances.
Arkansas's fuel tax of 24.8 cents/gallon is below the national average (~32c), giving box truck carriers a fuel cost advantage. At 5-6 MPG, this saves approximately $108/month compared to higher-tax states. Combined with high freight volume, AR offers solid margin potential.
| State | Rate/Mile | Gross/Mo | Fuel Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas (AR) | $1.88 | $11,280 | 24.8c |
| Alabama (AL) | $1.81 | $10,860 | 29.2c |
| Florida (FL) | $2.04 | $12,240 | 36.525c |
| Georgia (GA) | $1.94 | $11,640 | 31.2c |
| Kentucky (KY) | $1.90 | $11,400 | 24.6c |
A good dispatch service can boost your per-mile rate by $0.15-$0.40 through better load negotiation, reduced deadhead, and detention pay recovery.