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Intermodal Earnings in Idaho

How much can intermodal owner-operators earn in Idaho (ID)? Estimated rates, gross and net monthly income, cost of living impact, fuel costs, and top lanes in the Mountain West region.

Intermodal Earnings Overview — Idaho

Rate Per Mile

$2.30

+9.5% vs national

Est. Gross Monthly

$19,550

+9.5% vs national

Est. Net Monthly

$11,730

After COL-adjusted expenses

Idaho vs National Average

MetricIdahoNational AvgDiff
Rate/Mile$2.30$2.10+9.5%
Gross Monthly$19,550$17,850+9.5%
Est. Net Monthly$11,730$11,603+1.1%
Cost of Living97 (Average)100 (Baseline)-3%
Fuel Tax33.0c/gal~32c/galAbove avg

Cost of Living Impact in Idaho

COL Index: 97Average cost of living

Idaho's below-average cost of living (index 97) is a genuine advantage for intermodal owner-operators. Your $2.30/mile rate stretches further here — fuel, food, housing, and operating costs are all lower than the national baseline. This makes ID one of the better states for net take-home pay.

Estimated Monthly Expense Breakdown

CategoryEst. Monthly% of Gross
Fuel$3,03415.5%
Insurance$7824.0%
Truck Payment / Lease$1,8009.2%
Maintenance & Repairs$7824.0%
Tires$3001.5%
Permits & Licenses$1460.7%
Food & Living$7764.0%
Phone / Software$2001.0%
Total Expenses$7,82040.0%
Net Take-Home$11,73060.0%

Expenses adjusted for Idaho's cost of living index (97). Actual costs vary by individual circumstances.

Fuel Cost Impact in Idaho

33.0c/gal fuel tax

Idaho's fuel tax of 33.0 cents/gallon is slightly above the national average (~32c). The impact on intermodal operations is modest — roughly $15/month more than baseline. This is partially offset by competitive fuel pricing at major stops along I-84.

Top Intermodal Lanes from Idaho

1Denver CO → Salt Lake City UT
2Phoenix AZ → Albuquerque NM
3Boise ID → Salt Lake City UT
4Las Vegas NV → Denver CO

Intermodal Earnings — Idaho vs Nearby States

StateRate/MileGross/MoFuel Tax
Idaho (ID)$2.30$19,55033.0c
Colorado (CO)$2.40$20,40022.0c
Montana (MT)$2.30$19,55027.75c
Utah (UT)$2.38$20,23031.9c
Wyoming (WY)$2.17$18,44524.0c

Maximize Your Intermodal Earnings in Idaho

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

Intermodal Dispatch in IDIntermodal Guide for ID

Intermodal Earnings in Idaho — FAQ

Based on our rate engine, intermodal owner-operators in Idaho can expect approximately $2.30/mile, translating to ~$19,550 gross monthly. After estimated expenses of ~$7,820/month, net take-home is approximately $11,730/month. Actual earnings vary by lanes, experience, and negotiation skills.
Our model puts Idaho at $2.30/mile for intermodal, against a baseline of $2.10/mile for that equipment class. The state's cost of living index is 97 (Average), and the fuel tax is 33.0c/gal. With moderate freight volume and an owner-operator friendliness score of 8/10, ID is a strong market for intermodal carriers.
The top expenses for intermodal operators in Idaho are: fuel (~$3,034/mo), truck payment (~$1,800/mo), insurance (~$782/mo), and maintenance (~$782/mo). Idaho's cost of living (average) affects food, lodging, and living expenses. Total estimated monthly expenses: ~$7,820.
Top intermodal freight lanes in the Mountain West region include: Denver CO → Salt Lake City UT; Phoenix AZ → Albuquerque NM; Boise ID → Salt Lake City UT; Las Vegas NV → Denver CO. Idaho's key freight corridors run along I-84 and I-86, connecting Boise, Idaho Falls, Pocatello. Securing consistent round-trip loads minimizes deadhead and maximizes net earnings.
Idaho's fuel tax is 33.0 cents/gallon, which is near the national average of ~32c. For a intermodal averaging 5-6 MPG and running ~8,000 loaded miles/month, this translates to ~$495/month in state fuel tax alone.

Want to hit the top of these intermodal numbers in Idaho?

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

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