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Car Hauler Earnings in Arkansas

How much can car hauler 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.

Car Hauler Earnings Overview — Arkansas

Rate Per Mile

$1.59

+6.0% vs national

Est. Gross Monthly

$12,720

-0.2% vs national

Est. Net Monthly

$6,568

After COL-adjusted expenses

Arkansas vs National Average

MetricArkansasNational AvgDiff
Rate/Mile$1.59$1.50+6.0%
Gross Monthly$12,720$12,750-0.2%
Est. Net Monthly$6,568$8,288-20.8%
Cost of Living89 (Below Average)100 (Baseline)-11%
Fuel Tax24.8c/gal~32c/galBelow avg

Cost of Living Impact in Arkansas

COL Index: 89Below Average cost of living

Arkansas's below-average cost of living (index 89) is a genuine advantage for car hauler owner-operators. Your $1.59/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.

Estimated Monthly Expense Breakdown

CategoryEst. Monthly% of Gross
Fuel$1,81114.2%
Insurance$6365.0%
Truck Payment / Lease$1,80014.2%
Maintenance & Repairs$5094.0%
Tires$3502.8%
Permits & Licenses$1341.1%
Food & Living$7125.6%
Phone / Software$2001.6%
Total Expenses$6,15248.4%
Net Take-Home$6,56851.6%

Expenses adjusted for Arkansas's cost of living index (89). Actual costs vary by individual circumstances.

Fuel Cost Impact in Arkansas

24.8c/gal fuel tax

Arkansas's fuel tax of 24.8 cents/gallon is below the national average (~32c), giving car hauler 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.

Top Car Hauler Lanes from Arkansas

1Houston TX → Dallas TX
2Midland TX → Houston TX
3Oklahoma City OK → Dallas TX
4Baton Rouge LA → Houston TX

Car Hauler Earnings — Arkansas vs Nearby States

StateRate/MileGross/MoFuel Tax
Arkansas (AR)$1.59$12,72024.8c
Alabama (AL)$1.51$12,08029.2c
Florida (FL)$1.72$13,76036.525c
Georgia (GA)$1.61$12,88031.2c
Kentucky (KY)$1.58$12,64024.6c

Maximize Your Car Hauler Earnings in Arkansas

A good dispatch service works on the three levers that move your per-mile rate: load negotiation, reduced deadhead, and detention pay recovery.

Car Hauler Earnings in Arkansas — FAQ

Based on our rate engine, car hauler owner-operators in Arkansas can expect approximately $1.59/mile, translating to ~$12,720 gross monthly. After estimated expenses of ~$6,152/month, net take-home is approximately $6,568/month. Actual earnings vary by lanes, experience, and negotiation skills.
Our model puts Arkansas at $1.59/mile for car hauler, against a baseline of $1.50/mile for that equipment class. The state's cost of living index is 89 (Below Average), and the fuel tax is 24.8c/gal. With high freight volume and an owner-operator friendliness score of 8/10, AR is a strong market for car hauler carriers.
The top expenses for car hauler operators in Arkansas are: fuel (~$1,811/mo), truck payment (~$1,800/mo), insurance (~$636/mo), and maintenance (~$509/mo). Arkansas's cost of living (below average) affects food, lodging, and living expenses. Total estimated monthly expenses: ~$6,152.
Top car hauler freight lanes in the South Central region include: Houston TX → Dallas TX; Midland TX → Houston TX; Oklahoma City OK → Dallas TX; Baton Rouge LA → Houston TX. Arkansas's key freight corridors run along I-40 and I-30, connecting Little Rock, Fort Smith, Bentonville. Securing consistent round-trip loads minimizes deadhead and maximizes net earnings.
Arkansas's fuel tax is 24.8 cents/gallon, which is below the national average of ~32c. For a car hauler averaging 5-6 MPG and running ~8,000 loaded miles/month, this translates to ~$372/month in state fuel tax alone.

Want to hit the top of these car hauler numbers in Arkansas?

Our dispatch team looks for the high-paying car hauler lanes, negotiates your rates, and works to keep you loaded.