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Power Only Earnings in Ohio

How much can power only 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.

Power Only Earnings Overview — Ohio

Rate Per Mile

$1.83

+7.6% vs national

Est. Gross Monthly

$18,300

+26.6% vs national

Est. Net Monthly

$10,851

After COL-adjusted expenses

Ohio vs National Average

MetricOhioNational AvgDiff
Rate/Mile$1.83$1.70+7.6%
Gross Monthly$18,300$14,450+26.6%
Est. Net Monthly$10,851$9,393+15.5%
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 power only owner-operators. Your $1.83/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$2,78215.2%
Insurance$7324.0%
Truck Payment / Lease$1,8009.8%
Maintenance & Repairs$7324.0%
Tires$3001.6%
Permits & Licenses$1430.8%
Food & Living$7604.2%
Phone / Software$2001.1%
Total Expenses$7,44940.7%
Net Take-Home$10,85159.3%

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 power only 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 Power Only Lanes from Ohio

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

Power Only Earnings — Ohio vs Nearby States

StateRate/MileGross/MoFuel Tax
Ohio (OH)$1.83$18,30028.0c
Illinois (IL)$1.92$19,20046.7c
Indiana (IN)$1.92$19,20033.0c
Iowa (IA)$1.75$17,50030.0c
Kansas (KS)$1.73$17,30024.0c

Maximize Your Power Only 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.

Power Only Earnings in Ohio — FAQ

Based on our rate engine, power only owner-operators in Ohio can expect approximately $1.83/mile, translating to ~$18,300 gross monthly. After estimated expenses of ~$7,449/month, net take-home is approximately $10,851/month. Actual earnings vary by lanes, experience, and negotiation skills.
Our model puts Ohio at $1.83/mile for power only, against a baseline of $1.70/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 power only carriers.
The top expenses for power only operators in Ohio are: fuel (~$2,782/mo), truck payment (~$1,800/mo), insurance (~$732/mo), and maintenance (~$732/mo). Ohio's cost of living (average) affects food, lodging, and living expenses. Total estimated monthly expenses: ~$7,449.
Top power only 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 power only 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 power only numbers in Ohio?

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