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Dry Van Earnings in Ohio

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

Dry Van Earnings Overview — Ohio

Rate Per Mile

$2.57

+4.9% vs national

Est. Gross Monthly

$21,845

+4.9% vs national

Est. Net Monthly

$13,574

After COL-adjusted expenses

Ohio vs National Average

MetricOhioNational AvgDiff
Rate/Mile$2.57$2.45+4.9%
Gross Monthly$21,845$20,825+4.9%
Est. Net Monthly$13,574$13,536+0.3%
Cost of Living95 (Average)100 (Baseline)-5%
Fuel Tax28.0c/gal~32c/galBelow avg

Cost of Living Impact in Ohio

COL Index: 95Average cost of living

Ohio's below-average cost of living (index 95) is a genuine advantage for dry van owner-operators. Your $2.57/mile rate stretches further here — fuel, food, housing, and operating costs are all lower than the national baseline. This makes OH one of the better states for net take-home pay.

Estimated Monthly Expense Breakdown

CategoryEst. Monthly% of Gross
Fuel$3,32015.2%
Insurance$8744.0%
Truck Payment / Lease$1,8008.2%
Maintenance & Repairs$8744.0%
Tires$3001.4%
Permits & Licenses$1430.7%
Food & Living$7603.5%
Phone / Software$2000.9%
Total Expenses$8,27137.9%
Net Take-Home$13,57462.1%

Expenses adjusted for Ohio's cost of living index (95). Actual costs vary by individual circumstances.

Fuel Cost Impact in Ohio

28.0c/gal fuel tax

Ohio's fuel tax of 28.0 cents/gallon is below the national average (~32c), giving dry van carriers a fuel cost advantage. At 5-6 MPG, this saves approximately $60/month compared to higher-tax states. Combined with very high freight volume, OH offers solid margin potential.

Top Dry Van Lanes from Ohio

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

Dry Van Earnings — Ohio vs Nearby States

StateRate/MileGross/MoFuel Tax
Ohio (OH)$2.57$21,84528.0c
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 Ohio

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 Ohio — FAQ

Based on our rate engine, dry van owner-operators in Ohio can expect approximately $2.57/mile, translating to ~$21,845 gross monthly. After estimated expenses of ~$8,271/month, net take-home is approximately $13,574/month. Actual earnings vary by lanes, experience, and negotiation skills.
Our model puts Ohio at $2.57/mile for dry van, against a baseline of $2.45/mile for that equipment class. The state's cost of living index is 95 (Average), and the fuel tax is 28.0c/gal. With very high freight volume and an owner-operator friendliness score of 7/10, OH is a strong market for dry van carriers.
The top expenses for dry van operators in Ohio are: fuel (~$3,320/mo), truck payment (~$1,800/mo), insurance (~$874/mo), and maintenance (~$874/mo). Ohio's cost of living (average) affects food, lodging, and living expenses. Total estimated monthly expenses: ~$8,271.
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. Ohio's key freight corridors run along I-70 and I-71, connecting Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati. Securing consistent round-trip loads minimizes deadhead and maximizes net earnings.
Ohio's fuel tax is 28.0 cents/gallon, which is near the national average of ~32c. For a dry van averaging 5-6 MPG and running ~8,000 loaded miles/month, this translates to ~$420/month in state fuel tax alone.

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

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