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Intermodal Earnings in Maine

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

Intermodal Earnings Overview — Maine

Rate Per Mile

$2.43

+15.7% vs national

Est. Gross Monthly

$20,655

+15.7% vs national

Est. Net Monthly

$12,150

After COL-adjusted expenses

Maine vs National Average

MetricMaineNational AvgDiff
Rate/Mile$2.43$2.10+15.7%
Gross Monthly$20,655$17,850+15.7%
Est. Net Monthly$12,150$11,603+4.7%
Cost of Living107 (Above Average)100 (Baseline)+7%
Fuel Tax30.0c/gal~32c/galBelow avg

Cost of Living Impact in Maine

COL Index: 107Above Average cost of living

Maine has a roughly average cost of living (index 107). Intermodal rates of $2.43/mile translate well to real purchasing power. Operating expenses are in line with national norms, making ME a balanced market for intermodal owner-operators.

Estimated Monthly Expense Breakdown

CategoryEst. Monthly% of Gross
Fuel$3,53617.1%
Insurance$8264.0%
Truck Payment / Lease$1,8008.7%
Maintenance & Repairs$8264.0%
Tires$3001.5%
Permits & Licenses$1610.8%
Food & Living$8564.1%
Phone / Software$2001.0%
Total Expenses$8,50541.2%
Net Take-Home$12,15058.8%

Expenses adjusted for Maine's cost of living index (107). Actual costs vary by individual circumstances.

Fuel Cost Impact in Maine

30.0c/gal fuel tax

Maine's fuel tax of 30.0 cents/gallon is below the national average (~32c), giving intermodal carriers a fuel cost advantage. At 5-6 MPG, this saves approximately $30/month compared to higher-tax states. Combined with low freight volume, ME offers solid margin potential.

Top Intermodal Lanes from Maine

1Newark NJ → Boston MA
2Philadelphia PA → Hartford CT
3Baltimore MD → New York NY
4Harrisburg PA → Albany NY

Intermodal Earnings — Maine vs Nearby States

StateRate/MileGross/MoFuel Tax
Maine (ME)$2.43$20,65530.0c
Connecticut (CT)$2.40$20,40025.0c
Delaware (DE)$2.51$21,33522.0c
Maryland (MD)$2.70$22,95027.1c
Massachusetts (MA)$2.69$22,86524.0c

Maximize Your Intermodal Earnings in Maine

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

Intermodal Earnings in Maine — FAQ

Based on our rate engine, intermodal owner-operators in Maine can expect approximately $2.43/mile, translating to ~$20,655 gross monthly. After estimated expenses of ~$8,505/month, net take-home is approximately $12,150/month. Actual earnings vary by lanes, experience, and negotiation skills.
Our model puts Maine at $2.43/mile for intermodal, against a baseline of $2.10/mile for that equipment class. The state's cost of living index is 107 (Above Average), and the fuel tax is 30.0c/gal. With low freight volume and an owner-operator friendliness score of 6/10, ME is a decent market for intermodal carriers.
The top expenses for intermodal operators in Maine are: fuel (~$3,536/mo), truck payment (~$1,800/mo), insurance (~$826/mo), and maintenance (~$826/mo). Maine's cost of living (above average) affects food, lodging, and living expenses. Total estimated monthly expenses: ~$8,505.
Top intermodal freight lanes in the Northeast region include: Newark NJ → Boston MA; Philadelphia PA → Hartford CT; Baltimore MD → New York NY; Harrisburg PA → Albany NY. Maine's key freight corridors run along I-95 and I-295, connecting Portland, Bangor, Lewiston. Securing consistent round-trip loads minimizes deadhead and maximizes net earnings.
Maine's fuel tax is 30.0 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 ~$450/month in state fuel tax alone.

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

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