Skip to main content

Intermodal Earnings in Rhode Island

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

Intermodal Earnings Overview — Rhode Island

Rate Per Mile

$2.51

+19.5% vs national

Est. Gross Monthly

$21,335

+19.5% vs national

Est. Net Monthly

$12,529

After COL-adjusted expenses

Rhode Island vs National Average

MetricRhode IslandNational AvgDiff
Rate/Mile$2.51$2.10+19.5%
Gross Monthly$21,335$17,850+19.5%
Est. Net Monthly$12,529$11,603+8.0%
Cost of Living110 (Above Average)100 (Baseline)+10%
Fuel Tax34.0c/gal~32c/galAbove avg

Cost of Living Impact in Rhode Island

COL Index: 110Above Average cost of living

Rhode Island has a roughly average cost of living (index 110). Intermodal rates of $2.51/mile translate well to real purchasing power. Operating expenses are in line with national norms, making RI a balanced market for intermodal owner-operators.

Estimated Monthly Expense Breakdown

CategoryEst. Monthly% of Gross
Fuel$3,75517.6%
Insurance$8534.0%
Truck Payment / Lease$1,8008.4%
Maintenance & Repairs$8534.0%
Tires$3001.4%
Permits & Licenses$1650.8%
Food & Living$8804.1%
Phone / Software$2000.9%
Total Expenses$8,80641.3%
Net Take-Home$12,52958.7%

Expenses adjusted for Rhode Island's cost of living index (110). Actual costs vary by individual circumstances.

Fuel Cost Impact in Rhode Island

34.0c/gal fuel tax

Rhode Island's fuel tax of 34.0 cents/gallon is slightly above the national average (~32c). The impact on intermodal operations is modest — roughly $30/month more than baseline. This is partially offset by competitive fuel pricing at major stops along I-95.

Top Intermodal Lanes from Rhode Island

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

Intermodal Earnings — Rhode Island vs Nearby States

StateRate/MileGross/MoFuel Tax
Rhode Island (RI)$2.51$21,33534.0c
Connecticut (CT)$2.40$20,40025.0c
Delaware (DE)$2.51$21,33522.0c
Maine (ME)$2.43$20,65530.0c
Maryland (MD)$2.70$22,95027.1c

Maximize Your Intermodal Earnings in Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island — FAQ

Based on our rate engine, intermodal owner-operators in Rhode Island can expect approximately $2.51/mile, translating to ~$21,335 gross monthly. After estimated expenses of ~$8,806/month, net take-home is approximately $12,529/month. Actual earnings vary by lanes, experience, and negotiation skills.
Our model puts Rhode Island at $2.51/mile for intermodal, against a baseline of $2.10/mile for that equipment class. The state's cost of living index is 110 (Above Average), and the fuel tax is 34.0c/gal. With low freight volume and an owner-operator friendliness score of 5/10, RI is a decent market for intermodal carriers.
The top expenses for intermodal operators in Rhode Island are: fuel (~$3,755/mo), truck payment (~$1,800/mo), insurance (~$853/mo), and maintenance (~$853/mo). Rhode Island's cost of living (above average) affects food, lodging, and living expenses. Total estimated monthly expenses: ~$8,806.
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. Rhode Island's key freight corridors run along I-95 and I-195, connecting Providence, Warwick, Cranston. Securing consistent round-trip loads minimizes deadhead and maximizes net earnings.
Rhode Island's fuel tax is 34.0 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 ~$510/month in state fuel tax alone.

Want to hit the top of these intermodal numbers in Rhode Island?

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