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Dry Van Earnings in Illinois

How much can dry van owner-operators earn in Illinois (IL)? Estimated rates, gross and net monthly income, cost of living impact, fuel costs, and top lanes in the Midwest region.

Dry Van Earnings Overview — Illinois

Rate Per Mile

$2.70

+10.2% vs national

Est. Gross Monthly

$22,950

+10.2% vs national

Est. Net Monthly

$13,915

After COL-adjusted expenses

Illinois vs National Average

MetricIllinoisNational AvgDiff
Rate/Mile$2.70$2.45+10.2%
Gross Monthly$22,950$20,825+10.2%
Est. Net Monthly$13,915$13,536+2.8%
Cost of Living106 (Above Average)100 (Baseline)+6%
Fuel Tax46.7c/gal~32c/galAbove avg

Cost of Living Impact in Illinois

COL Index: 106Above Average cost of living

Illinois has a roughly average cost of living (index 106). Dry Van rates of $2.70/mile translate well to real purchasing power. Operating expenses are in line with national norms, making IL a balanced market for dry van owner-operators.

Estimated Monthly Expense Breakdown

CategoryEst. Monthly% of Gross
Fuel$3,89217.0%
Insurance$9184.0%
Truck Payment / Lease$1,8007.8%
Maintenance & Repairs$9184.0%
Tires$3001.3%
Permits & Licenses$1590.7%
Food & Living$8483.7%
Phone / Software$2000.9%
Total Expenses$9,03539.4%
Net Take-Home$13,91560.6%

Expenses adjusted for Illinois's cost of living index (106). Actual costs vary by individual circumstances.

Fuel Cost Impact in Illinois

46.7c/gal fuel tax

Illinois's fuel tax of 46.7 cents/gallon is significantly above the national average (~32c). For dry van carriers averaging 5-6 MPG, this adds roughly $221 per month to fuel costs compared to the national baseline. Factor this into your rate calculations when bidding on IL lanes.

Top Dry Van Lanes from Illinois

1Chicago IL → Detroit MI
2Indianapolis IN → Columbus OH
3Minneapolis MN → Kansas City MO
4St. Louis MO → Nashville TN

Dry Van Earnings — Illinois vs Nearby States

StateRate/MileGross/MoFuel Tax
Illinois (IL)$2.70$22,95046.7c
Indiana (IN)$2.66$22,61033.0c
Iowa (IA)$2.44$20,74030.0c
Kansas (KS)$2.43$20,65524.0c
Michigan (MI)$2.58$21,93026.3c

Maximize Your Dry Van Earnings in Illinois

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

Dry Van Earnings in Illinois — FAQ

Based on our rate engine, dry van owner-operators in Illinois can expect approximately $2.70/mile, translating to ~$22,950 gross monthly. After estimated expenses of ~$9,035/month, net take-home is approximately $13,915/month. Actual earnings vary by lanes, experience, and negotiation skills.
Our model puts Illinois at $2.70/mile for dry van, against a baseline of $2.45/mile for that equipment class. The state's cost of living index is 106 (Above Average), and the fuel tax is 46.7c/gal. With very high freight volume and an owner-operator friendliness score of 6/10, IL is a decent market for dry van carriers.
The top expenses for dry van operators in Illinois are: fuel (~$3,892/mo), truck payment (~$1,800/mo), insurance (~$918/mo), and maintenance (~$918/mo). Illinois's cost of living (above average) affects food, lodging, and living expenses. Total estimated monthly expenses: ~$9,035.
Top dry van freight lanes in the Midwest region include: Chicago IL → Detroit MI; Indianapolis IN → Columbus OH; Minneapolis MN → Kansas City MO; St. Louis MO → Nashville TN. Illinois's key freight corridors run along I-80 and I-90, connecting Chicago, Rockford, Peoria. Securing consistent round-trip loads minimizes deadhead and maximizes net earnings.
Illinois's fuel tax is 46.7 cents/gallon, which is above the national average of ~32c. For a dry van averaging 5-6 MPG and running ~8,000 loaded miles/month, this translates to ~$701/month in state fuel tax alone.

Want to hit the top of these dry van numbers in Illinois?

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