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Dry Van Earnings in North Dakota

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

Dry Van Earnings Overview — North Dakota

Rate Per Mile

$2.45

+0.0% vs national

Est. Gross Monthly

$20,825

+0.0% vs national

Est. Net Monthly

$12,619

After COL-adjusted expenses

North Dakota vs National Average

MetricNorth DakotaNational AvgDiff
Rate/Mile$2.45$2.45+0.0%
Gross Monthly$20,825$20,825+0.0%
Est. Net Monthly$12,619$13,536-6.8%
Cost of Living99 (Average)100 (Baseline)-1%
Fuel Tax23.0c/gal~32c/galBelow avg

Cost of Living Impact in North Dakota

COL Index: 99Average cost of living

North Dakota's below-average cost of living (index 99) is a genuine advantage for dry van owner-operators. Your $2.45/mile rate stretches further here — fuel, food, housing, and operating costs are all lower than the national baseline. This makes ND one of the better states for net take-home pay.

Estimated Monthly Expense Breakdown

CategoryEst. Monthly% of Gross
Fuel$3,29915.8%
Insurance$8334.0%
Truck Payment / Lease$1,8008.6%
Maintenance & Repairs$8334.0%
Tires$3001.4%
Permits & Licenses$1490.7%
Food & Living$7923.8%
Phone / Software$2001.0%
Total Expenses$8,20639.4%
Net Take-Home$12,61960.6%

Expenses adjusted for North Dakota's cost of living index (99). Actual costs vary by individual circumstances.

Fuel Cost Impact in North Dakota

23.0c/gal fuel tax

North Dakota's fuel tax of 23.0 cents/gallon is below the national average (~32c), giving dry van carriers a fuel cost advantage. At 5-6 MPG, this saves approximately $135/month compared to higher-tax states. Combined with moderate freight volume, ND offers solid margin potential.

Top Dry Van Lanes from North Dakota

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

Dry Van Earnings — North Dakota vs Nearby States

StateRate/MileGross/MoFuel Tax
North Dakota (ND)$2.45$20,82523.0c
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

Maximize Your Dry Van Earnings in North Dakota

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 North Dakota — FAQ

Based on our rate engine, dry van owner-operators in North Dakota can expect approximately $2.45/mile, translating to ~$20,825 gross monthly. After estimated expenses of ~$8,206/month, net take-home is approximately $12,619/month. Actual earnings vary by lanes, experience, and negotiation skills.
Our model puts North Dakota at $2.45/mile for dry van, against a baseline of $2.45/mile for that equipment class. The state's cost of living index is 99 (Average), and the fuel tax is 23.0c/gal. With moderate freight volume and an owner-operator friendliness score of 7/10, ND is a strong market for dry van carriers.
The top expenses for dry van operators in North Dakota are: fuel (~$3,299/mo), truck payment (~$1,800/mo), insurance (~$833/mo), and maintenance (~$833/mo). North Dakota's cost of living (average) affects food, lodging, and living expenses. Total estimated monthly expenses: ~$8,206.
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. North Dakota's key freight corridors run along I-94 and I-29, connecting Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks. Securing consistent round-trip loads minimizes deadhead and maximizes net earnings.
North Dakota's fuel tax is 23.0 cents/gallon, which is below the national average of ~32c. For a dry van averaging 5-6 MPG and running ~8,000 loaded miles/month, this translates to ~$345/month in state fuel tax alone.

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

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