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Flatbed Earnings in North Dakota

How much can flatbed 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.

Flatbed Earnings Overview — North Dakota

Rate Per Mile

$3.03

+1.0% vs national

Est. Gross Monthly

$22,725

-10.9% vs national

Est. Net Monthly

$13,839

After COL-adjusted expenses

North Dakota vs National Average

MetricNorth DakotaNational AvgDiff
Rate/Mile$3.03$3.00+1.0%
Gross Monthly$22,725$25,500-10.9%
Est. Net Monthly$13,839$16,575-16.5%
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 flatbed owner-operators. Your $3.03/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$3,60015.8%
Insurance$9094.0%
Truck Payment / Lease$1,8007.9%
Maintenance & Repairs$1,1365.0%
Tires$3001.3%
Permits & Licenses$1490.7%
Food & Living$7923.5%
Phone / Software$2000.9%
Total Expenses$8,88639.1%
Net Take-Home$13,83960.9%

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 flatbed 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 Flatbed Lanes from North Dakota

1Chicago IL → Indianapolis IN
2Detroit MI → Cleveland OH
3Minneapolis MN → Milwaukee WI
4Kansas City MO → Omaha NE

Flatbed Earnings — North Dakota vs Nearby States

StateRate/MileGross/MoFuel Tax
North Dakota (ND)$3.03$22,72523.0c
Illinois (IL)$3.35$25,12546.7c
Indiana (IN)$3.28$24,60033.0c
Iowa (IA)$3.02$22,65030.0c
Kansas (KS)$3.01$22,57524.0c

Maximize Your Flatbed 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.

Flatbed Earnings in North Dakota — FAQ

Based on our rate engine, flatbed owner-operators in North Dakota can expect approximately $3.03/mile, translating to ~$22,725 gross monthly. After estimated expenses of ~$8,886/month, net take-home is approximately $13,839/month. Actual earnings vary by lanes, experience, and negotiation skills.
Our model puts North Dakota at $3.03/mile for flatbed, against a baseline of $3.00/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 flatbed carriers.
The top expenses for flatbed operators in North Dakota are: fuel (~$3,600/mo), truck payment (~$1,800/mo), insurance (~$909/mo), and maintenance (~$1,136/mo). North Dakota's cost of living (average) affects food, lodging, and living expenses. Total estimated monthly expenses: ~$8,886.
Top flatbed freight lanes in the Midwest region include: Chicago IL → Indianapolis IN; Detroit MI → Cleveland OH; Minneapolis MN → Milwaukee WI; Kansas City MO → Omaha NE. 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 flatbed 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 flatbed numbers in North Dakota?

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